Glen-L.com

Hey everyone im trying to figure out the amount it is going to cost for the drivetrain for bolero i am just trying to figure out a few things.

1. am i better off using a pcm 5.7 marine engine, or converting a GM LS1 5.7 i can pick one up for around 3300 aussie dollars. are there any reasons why the LS1 would not be as good.

2. as it is a rearmount setup im guessing i need to use a v-drive im looking at a argo brand v-drive, they have three types, warmup clutch, continuous, and with prop release, would i also need a transmission or does one of these types have forward, neutral and reverse.

3. what parts would i need for the conversion iv'e figured that i need a bellhousing, engine mounts, water pump, manifolds, flame arrester, different starter motor? have i missed anything?

any help or advise you can give me would be greatly appreciated,

Dale lewis, Australia

Welcome to the forum. This will be some rambling and some food for thought for anyone reading too. I have come to these conclusions after taking both approaches, buying or doing it myself to buy off the shelf, where others do go the do it yourself route. I like to concentrate on the hull only.


This question comes up a lot. There are a lot of depends here for many depending on who is doing the job of the conversion. Usually when you have to ask, then its best to go slowly and learn a bit more before plucking down any bucks. Access to parts and mechanical ability is important. Inboard gas engines create a new level of risks too for anyone interested in doing their own.


The engine block is like an introductory offer in stores or in most cases what is known as a loss leader to get you to spend more money or in this case can cause you to spend more, aggravate yourself more and still not come out as nice as if you pick a regular marine setup. Warranty of parts and the complete package plays into my thinking too. There will be bugs to work out even after you do your initial sea trial, or has been my experiences in most cases.

A person cannot always do it as economical and smart as the folks in the business themselves, even though numerous parts are off the shelves for you to purchase. So shop around while you have time and compare.


Keep in mind that it is important in the early stage that you do lock in your power plant because of requirement to build your structual supports while its easier and creates a better job in my opinion early on.

Welcome to the forum ! I'll offer up the following on questions 2 & 3.

Not familiar with the Argo v-drive, but I did find the following supplier in your part of the globe :

http://www.cassellmarine.com.au/p/32402 ... rive-.html

Your best bet may be to go with a direct-drive unit. Shifting duties could be handled by a Velvet Drive 71C or 72C hydraulic transmission. The supplier listed above also carries new & reconditioned 71C Borg Warner Velvet Drives (1:1 Ratio) :
http://www.cassellmarine.com.au/p/81142 ... r-71c.html

Here are some links to help you find all the parts that you'll need :

Description of Inboard Marine Hardware Parts (glen-l.com) Scroll down to the V-Drive section.

Inboard Motor Installation by Glen L. Witt & Ken Hankinson (glen-l.com) This book covers all aspects of inboard motor installation.

Inboard Hardware (glen-l.com)

Inboard Hardware Parts Index (alphabetical)] (glen-l.com)

Casale Split-Case V-drives (glen-l.com)

Since you're at the planning stage, you may also want to consider I/O engine packages. Don't know what your budget is, but it never hurts to see what the options are :
Mercruiser engines and outdrives (michiganmotorz.com)

Check out our website for more v-drive installation info. I'm sure others will be along shortly to add items to the list !
___________________
Paul Kane Chelsea, PQ

Building the Glen-L Hot Rod : http://www.boats.chelseacoachworks.com

thanks heaps for the info i am thinking i might go with an argo v-drive and an gm ls1 the mercruisers with stern drive are $25 937 for around the same amount of horesepower im sure i can do it a lot cheaper by converting a motor. i want to do a rearmount setup and i want forward, neutral and reverse thats my reason for going with a v-drive and not direct drive.
thanks again for the help hopefully oneday i can contribute a bit myself.

cheers, dale

the Argo unit is a good one from what I have heard on the vdrive site. Its everybit as good as a Casale Vdrive.

A I/O stern drive will give you a rear mounted motor,ability to trim the outdrive up for trimming,trailering, and shallow water operation and a simpler design trailer.

BTW, I AM a big V-Drive fan,but not sure how much I'd like it on a deep-Vee boat

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

i never considered how much the draft would be if i used a vdrive on a deep v, i might just have to go with a stern drive, just had a look on ebay i guess they arent that expensive when you consider the trim, and steering and gearbox is all included.

The draft of an I/O may not be much different with the out drive down than the V-drive,however with an I/O you have the ability to raise the out drive in shallow water to make the draft less

The V-drive will make a gear whine similar to a blower motor or a gear drive in a performance motor too.The I/O will be quieter.

Once you own a V-drive,the whine gets into your blood....when I hear one winding up on the lake near me 1/2 mile away....it raises the hair on my neck and I have to stop and listen!!!

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream