77 23' Savage

[GetReel]

Good luck. Having gutted a 1975 IB which is basically the same setup, I can respond with some experience:

Tanks under aft deck, 2 @ 50 gals +/-. If original replace. Keep them for fabricator to use. They are in tight and you may want them to be made 1/2 shallower because the decks sometimes ride on them. Also moisture collects under them so get expoxy coated tanks.

Drain plug is where you found it, not easy to get to. I suggest a rear bilge pump also near shaft log.

Your shaft should be 1 and qtr inch, if original, could be an issue with new engine torque....

If you can afford it, get a new bob-tail fuel injected engine. Also check and make sure that the EFI engine has a "cooling pot" for the hot unspent fuel to return to...

Most trans are 1 and a half turn. By the time you find everything to replace, easier and perhaps cheaper to go all new. Also, this is a heavy boat and you may want the EFI to save fuel.

Original engines were mostly Ford 351's, mine came with it.

Good luck, great boat.

[bdolnik]

Thanks Jeff...

Yep, have already pulled up the hatch and seen the two tanks there. Being aluminum is it not possible to just pressure test and use them if the test ok?

Was planning on 2 bilge pumps, there is an access hatch just behind the console to the shaft so that sounds like a good place to put another one.

I'm really on the fence with the new motor. $$$ Just keeps adding up when I add FWC and EFI. Mechanic here doesn't think the raw water cooling is such a big deal, says he sees more engines die for other reasons then that, plus the one in there has been going for 30 years with raw water cooling.

Would like the EFI to but again more $$$.

I think mines a GM. I have to check that tomorrow, engine guy said GM's had distributer in back, and Fords are in front (I think that's right).

Sigh... I'm really just at the point where I want to tell the mechanic to pull the old one and order the new one. I've been reading and researching untold hours and still unsure of the right thing to do.

[bdolnik]

Here are some pictures of the existing motor, looks like it's definitely a GM block with the distributor in the back.

[Old'sCool]

Looks like a small block chev to me, with dual plane intake, holley carb.......brings back memories of the hot rod years!!

[Miles Offshore]

And the exhaust manifolds already have the 3"/4" extensions between them and the risers.

[Islandtrader]

I know this is a hard thing to do. However stand back and take a deep breath. Don't do anything for at least a month. By then every thing will seem much clearer and you will make better decisions.

[bdolnik]

Old motor came out today... new one on order. I'm going to try and use the old transmission to start out with.