Repower from 5.7 to 8.1 engines

Tailchaser I'm with ya. They are great boats. Very comfortable, easy to trailer, look good, etc. Besides they have beautiful interiors, and have got to have the best laid out cabin of any 26 footer.
 
Screw Mercruiser.
I repowered my Chris-Craft (carbed 350 ci Indmar, 275 hp) with a 6.0, 375 hp. Crusader.
Better marinization than Mercruiser. Plenty of torque.
I thought I was gonna keep the boat long-term in 2005 and dropped twenty large on the repower. Bought my 39 shortly after and lost the dockage next door for my Chris, so I'm parting her out, selling the engine and trans.

It's a 2005, only 35 original hours. $5,000 for engine/transmission ( I know you don't need the gear, but I'm selling as a package). Current cost new close to $15K...
Still in the boat and can demo, but I'm going to pull it soon and part out the rest of the hull. MPI, returnless fuel system. PM me if interested.

http://www.crusaderengines.com/Products/6_0.html
 
Tail Chaser 661 said:
Its interesting about the 454 mated with the Alpha drive.
I had found a good website on picking the right prop for different engine drive combos.

The 454ci alpha drive speced out the same as the 5.7 any HP with the same prop.
That was stating a 7500 lb 26' boat.
Obvious you cant put much Tq into the alpha drive.
I expected to see at least a 4" increase in prop pitch with the high Tq 454 engine. So a 454 with a Alpha will always be way under propped on a heavy boat if you don't want to break the drive.

I bet the 26' Sea Rays that that came with 454 alpha combo were 800 to 1000 rpm underpropped hurting the mpg badly.
Click to expand...
I do keep my Alpha underpropped to try to save the drive, and I run a drive shower and synthetic lube. Cruise is about 30 mph at 3400 with a 17". A 19" would get me 30 mph at 3000 and 39 mph on top at 4400. She is heavy and doesn't run efficient at slower speeds with that big notch in the transom. But even with the engine forward I have plenty of room in front of it.

I absolutely intend to repower mine and it would be done right now if I had the 20K available. 496/Bravo3 would be my choice. The only other way to get new power is to buy new. I don't think you can should spend a penny on your boat if you're concern is getting it back out. When I finally replace this one I'll probably give it to my daughter anyway.
 
Tail Chaser -
You make a good point that if you want to keep a trailerable boat that you can go offshore with, you have got about the biggest you can get. I got my boat and still trailer it, but it is a wide load, and so you need some permits. I recently pulled it all the way from michigan to key west and back, so it can be done, but not as easily as a boat that fits within the legal dimensions. So the case for keeping your boat is making more sense. Sounds like a good deal on a used motor there.
About the swivel seats, I did same thing, and my wife and I love it. Makes for a lot more open cockpit and you can drive more comfortably. I guess we all have the disease......
 
IMHO If you keep something like 10 yrs or more.
Then probably all the work and suffering is worth it :lol:

But if you trade something in every few years.
Keeping up with the newest trend.
And dump a bunch of money into it during that time.
Then the money numbers don't look so good.

If you have the income. It probably does not matter.
But I work too hard for my toys.
And the Motion Picture Industry (My Job)
Is not looking very promising.
 
berth control said:
Tail Chaser -
You make a good point that if you want to keep a trailerable boat that you can go offshore with, you have got about the biggest you can get. I got my boat and still trailer it, but it is a wide load, and so you need some permits. I recently pulled it all the way from michigan to key west and back, so it can be done, but not as easily as a boat that fits within the legal dimensions. So the case for keeping your boat is making more sense. Sounds like a good deal on a used motor there.
About the swivel seats, I did same thing, and my wife and I love it. Makes for a lot more open cockpit and you can drive more comfortably. I guess we all have the disease......
Click to expand...

Whats the beam width on your 27' Dancer?
Did it come orig with a bench seat?
If so,
Do have some pics of your of your new seats that rotate?
I have some concern that the arm rest may hit each other before rotating 180 degrees.
Two 24" wide helm chairs mounted in a 48" space.
One company says the same chairs are 20" wide.
The arm rest do come off.
 
keokie said:
Tailchaser I'm with ya. They are great boats. Very comfortable, easy to trailer, look good, etc. Besides they have beautiful interiors, and have got to have the best laid out cabin of any 26 footer.
Click to expand...


I agree with you keokie.

But I didnt want to go there.:grin:
Ruffling some (Brand New Boat) owners feathers.
With me being on this site for only three days :huh::lol:
 
Last edited:
TC 661,
Did you see my link? His name is Walt. 360-805-5320
Trust me give him a call and talk to him about what you want to do.
 
tobnpr said:
Screw Mercruiser.
I repowered my Chris-Craft (carbed 350 ci Indmar, 275 hp) with a 6.0, 375 hp. Crusader.
Better marinization than Mercruiser. Plenty of torque.
I thought I was gonna keep the boat long-term in 2005 and dropped twenty large on the repower. Bought my 39 shortly after and lost the dockage next door for my Chris, so I'm parting her out, selling the engine and trans.

It's a 2005, only 35 original hours. $5,000 for engine/transmission ( I know you don't need the gear, but I'm selling as a package). Current cost new close to $15K...
Still in the boat and can demo, but I'm going to pull it soon and part out the rest of the hull. MPI, returnless fuel system. PM me if interested.

http://www.crusaderengines.com/Products/6_0.html
Click to expand...

Them crusaders are the best blocks.
Unfortunately they don't make them in a sterndrive version.
The starters are mounted on top the bell housings on inboards. (Best place) Sterndrives are on the bottom.
 
Nehalennia said:
TC 661,
Did you see my link? His name is Walt. 360-805-5320
Trust me give him a call and talk to him about what you want to do.
Click to expand...
I sure did.
I took the info down.
Thanks :thumbsup:
 
Is that real wood down in the cabin? Sweet.

I have exterior wood on my blowboat. When I went power boat shopping, exterior wood was an automatic disqualification.
 
comsnark said:
Is that real wood down in the cabin? Sweet.

I have exterior wood on my blowboat. When I went power boat shopping, exterior wood was an automatic disqualification.
Click to expand...

Yes it is.
I know what you mean with the exterior wood.
I have a few pieces of teak to keep up on.
 
Last edited:
Tail Chaser -
The beam on the 270 is 10'. That's really the reason I bought that boat. The next size up, a 30' has a 12' beam and, while that boat has a lot more space, it is too wide to trailer under a blanket permit in Michigan. The 10' beam just needs a 50.00 annual permit, the 12' beam needs lots of other stuff to trailer like flags and a chase vehicle, at least in Michigan. They both require some hassle though, you can just hook up and go with yours.

About the seats, I don't really have a good picture to put up. You can kind of see the seats here, picture from another forum. http://clubsearay.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4657&d=1232330039
I can tell you that they both swivel all the way around, but I am not sure if yours would, mine just hit when you swivel them. I took the original seat out and sold it for a couple hundred bucks, that helped offset the cost of the new seats. We have a lot less seating capacity, but I prefer the room to the seats. It is usually just my wife and I anyways. If I was boating with a family full of kids, maybe I would prefer the sundancer seat.
 
Last edited:
Sorrento 25 said:
I do keep my Alpha underpropped to try to save the drive, and I run a drive shower and synthetic lube. Cruise is about 30 mph at 3400 with a 17". A 19" would get me 30 mph at 3000 and 39 mph on top at 4400. She is heavy and doesn't run efficient at slower speeds with that big notch in the transom. But even with the engine forward I have plenty of room in front of it.

I absolutely intend to repower mine and it would be done right now if I had the 20K available. 496/Bravo3 would be my choice. The only other way to get new power is to buy new. I don't think you can should spend a penny on your boat if you're concern is getting it back out. When I finally replace this one I'll probably give it to my daughter anyway.
Click to expand...

Smart move on underpropping the alpha. On my 268, mine was propped out to max out at 4600 rpm. I don't remember the prop dimensions. The drive failed at 200 hrs, and 400 hrs. First was covered under warranty. Paid for the second one and I'd had it. It was right around then that merc mechanics admitted the alpha wasn't enough drive for the 454.

As far as the motor, it was a beast. I loved it. Powerful but quiet and smooth.

Tail Chaser, I am sure you will find an option that will work for you. I tend to keep my stuff for quite a while, so I get it when you find what you like. One other thing about keeping your 260, you know what you have, what works , what doesn't. Sounds like you have a nice plan for it.

Since you are fishing, one of the issues I had with the 454 /alpha combo was I could not get it to troll down slow enough. I'm sure you are aware of the solutions to that issue.

Best of luck, enjoy your 260 and let us know how it works out.

Jeff
 
BadaBingII said:
Smart move on underpropping the alpha. On my 268, mine was propped out to max out at 4600 rpm. I don't remember the prop dimensions. The drive failed at 200 hrs, and 400 hrs. First was covered under warranty. Paid for the second one and I'd had it. It was right around then that merc mechanics admitted the alpha wasn't enough drive for the 454.

As far as the motor, it was a beast. I loved it. Powerful but quiet and smooth.

Tail Chaser, I am sure you will find an option that will work for you. I tend to keep my stuff for quite a while, so I get it when you find what you like. One other thing about keeping your 260, you know what you have, what works , what doesn't. Sounds like you have a nice plan for it.

Since you are fishing, one of the issues I had with the 454 /alpha combo was I could not get it to troll down slow enough. I'm sure you are aware of the solutions to that issue.

Best of luck, enjoy your 260 and let us know how it works out.

Jeff
Click to expand...
Thanks Jeff,
Before I joined this site,
Then saw what a nice setup keokie has,
How much he likes his 8.1. And how well the old 26' Sundancer runs with a big block and good drive. He said he is getting good mpg also. I should increase my range another 80 miles using his setup. Next best thing to a 30 k diesel package.
The chance of going with a 8.1 or any big block was very slim. Probably would have gone with the Merc 383ci and Bravo 3.
Then starting this post. I find out....
Everyone loves there big block.
Going any other route would be a mistake.

Im still going to check out a boat show.
Confirm that I like this boat more then any new ones I could afford.
O' Yea, I cant afford any new 26' boat :huh::lol:
 
berth control said:
Tail Chaser -
The beam on the 270 is 10'. That's really the reason I bought that boat. The next size up, a 30' has a 12' beam and, while that boat has a lot more space, it is too wide to trailer under a blanket permit in Michigan. The 10' beam just needs a 50.00 annual permit, the 12' beam needs lots of other stuff to trailer like flags and a chase vehicle, at least in Michigan. They both require some hassle though, you can just hook up and go with yours.

About the seats, I don't really have a good picture to put up. You can kind of see the seats here, picture from another forum. http://clubsearay.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4657&d=1232330039
I can tell you that they both swivel all the way around, but I am not sure if yours would, mine just hit when you swivel them. I took the original seat out and sold it for a couple hundred bucks, that helped offset the cost of the new seats. We have a lot less seating capacity, but I prefer the room to the seats. It is usually just my wife and I anyways. If I was boating with a family full of kids, maybe I would prefer the sundancer seat.
Click to expand...

That a nice setup.
Much nicer seats then i'm going with. I'm getting two Wise deluxe helms chairs. 180.00 ea. 3 yr warranty.

Your 27' with the 10' beam is real sweat.
I did not know that model was out there.
I had seen a very few 27' for sale before.
I thought they were 26' that people called 27' to help make a sale :lol:

Makes me wonder of a new favorite boat.
27' 10' beam Sea Ray with a single Volvo D6 370 hp diesel duoprop
 
Thanks for the compliments - I really appreciate it. Your 260 Dancer and the 270 are really close in length, the beam is the main difference. Your seats will be better for fishing, I looked into them before i got mine. They are easy to wash the fish guts off, and you can just replace the cushions when they get bad. We found those seats used here in michgan for about 150 a piece with the pedastles, if you haven't bought yours yet I can give you the info for the person that sells em' just send me a p.m. They will ship them for you. :thumbsup:

About your new favorite boat - sounds good! Sign me up when you find a used one that someone put that motor and drive in! I'm not picky though, it could be a perkins, yanmar, or stehr diesel:grin: That would make docking a lot tougher though without twins....:smt009 Maybe two small diesels:smt038
 
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