Hi, My name is Bernie and I have a boat addiction. In 2004 I didn't have a boat. Since then I have rebuilt a 1975 Hydrostream Viper, a 1966 Powercat 15t and a 1970 Glastron-Carlson Contender. I also have a 28 ft. Harris pontoon that I just replaced all the furniture in, and I recently sold my 14 ft. aluminum fishin bote with a 1957 Johnson 18hp that I also rebuilt and refinished. I have sold the Hydrostream and the Carlson and was enjoying the extra room in the yard when I saw a Hydrodyne 18 at the marina. Actually that's what I was looking for when I found the Hydrostream 7 years ago. As my screen name implies, I used to ski a lot when I was young. IMO the 'Dyne 18 I-O is the coolest tow rig in history. Then I saw an empty hull on the classifieds here for sale.......too far away to be easy, too close for comfort. Having those same feelings again, and amazingly my wife didn't freak out this time....(she must be used to me having a project boat out in the yard). Anyhow since the hulk I am looking at doesn't have power, and since I am an outboard kind of guy, can anyone tell me if a Mercruser V8 (302) will fit in a 1977 'Dyne I-O? It was originally an inline 6 but I see a lot more of the V8's available.
It will work with some mods. You will need the rear motor mount adapter that bolts to the engine as sort of a bell housing. You will need the y-pipe exhaust to accommodate the two exhaust elbows. The best buy would be a complete V-8 I/O assembly, either Ford or Chevy. The gear ratio is different, but should be a major factor with a higher pitch prop. In my opinion the I/O hulls make a great looking outboard. The performance is greatly enhanced too due to the weight reduction. Here is a picture of my converted I/O. Jim
Jim, Thanks for the reply! Your boat looks great, but I have always loved the 'dog house' with the pro stock looking scoop on the I-O's. I actually should have been specific, I wonder if the V8 with all the water cooled exhaust sticking off the sides of the motor would fit under the doghouse or if it would be too wide. The boat I'm looking at has nothing, motor or outdrive so it would be a complete swap. If I do this I will be looking for a donor boat with everything needed to drop in the 'Dyne. The trick will be to find one without a busted block or exhaust manifold from leaving water in it when it freezes. I would do a complete rebuild if I found one intact. I'm pretty sure there are lots out there but they are in someones back yard slowly dissolving into the grass...... This may just be a pipe dream but it's a NICE dream.... Bernie PS: What happened to the original power from your boat?
The original engine and outdrive was traded in on the outboard in 1997. The V-8 will fit under the engine cowl, both chevy and ford. The 302 Ford is 50 lbs lighter than the 305 chev and is a great boat engine. I have owned both and both are good. A 350 chev will fit too. There were improvements in the drives over the years. Get the newest one you can find. jim
Do an internet search on: "Allofcraigslist" . There are several IO's on there right now in different states of disrepair. Might find a good donor boat. Bob
I did some CL searching and found several possible donor candidates and a couple of engines, 165 Mercruiser inline 6's...I was only inquiring about the V8's because I assumed the inline would be more scarce. Apparently not. Looks like I may go get it Saturday. Does anyone know if the deck is 'glassed to the hull on the inside or is it only riveted? Thanks, Bernie
Thanks for all the info. I have looked around some more here on the website and found out that this is a balsa cored boat. I assumed it was conventional construction. As I mentioned, I rebuilt a Hydrostream a few years ago, and re-cored it. I have sworn off of balsa re-coring so I will not be getting this boat. Thanks, Bernie
