1999 Proline 2950 repower ?

[Vern]

I have a 1999 Proline 2950 with the original 5.7 260 hp Mercruiser engines and Bravo III drives. The port engine blew up. It appears part of the stern will need to be removed to remove the blown engine. I wil be replacing both engines. My wife (the Boss) suggested replacing the gas engines with diesels. I am not an engineer or a banker. I do not know what, if any, combination of diesel/ drive would be comparable with the Mercruisers. Would Proline recommend this type of repower?
My thought is to replace both engines with new Mercruisers. If I do this can I upgrade to a newer model Mercruiser with minor modifications? Any suggestion, ideas or help are greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Vern

[C-Lark III]

I'll leave this one to the Pros at Proline.  But I would think you can remove the motors without removing any structure.  Some rigging to slide them forward before lifting out.  I have twin diesels with stern drives in my 1993 2950, but they are Volvo Penta AD41 motors with Volvo DuoProp stern drives.  There is a Proline 2950 on the internet that has twin Mercruiser Diesels.  website is http://www.sdboats.com/images/shandac.htm.  It doesn't specify the drives, but it has rudders, so it's an inboard setup.  And I did a search, and found this website - http://www.cmdmarine.com/engines/rec/sterndrives/Mercruiser/mer42-250.html.
It appears they are Cummins, and they should hook up to your Bravo III's.  For I/O propulsion, I am sold on diesels - both from the reliability point of view, and also because they have a slimmer profile, so access is much easier, and maintenance much simpler (no spark plugs, wires, distributor, etc....)!  Good luck on the re-power.

[Vern]

I'll leave this one to the Pros at Proline.  But I would think you can remove the motors without removing any structure.  Some rigging to slide them forward before lifting out.  I have twin diesels with stern drives in my 1993 2950, but they are Volvo Penta AD41 motors with Volvo DuoProp stern drives.  There is a Proline 2950 on the internet that has twin Mercruiser Diesels.  website is http://www.sdboats.com/images/shandac.htm.  It doesn't specify the drives, but it has rudders, so it's an inboard setup.  And I did a search, and found this website - http://www.cmdmarine.com/engines/rec/sterndrives/Mercruiser/mer42-250.html.
It appears they are Cummins, and they should hook up to your Bravo III's.  For I/O propulsion, I am sold on diesels - both from the reliability point of view, and also because they have a slimmer profile, so access is much easier, and maintenance much simpler (no spark plugs, wires, distributor, etc....)!  Good luck on the re-power.

C-LarkIII
Thanks for the input and information. I e-mailed cmd marine and am waiting for a response.
I also think you may be right on the rigging to remove the engines. I will definitely look hard at that option before I have my boat cut up. Thanks again.
Vern

[C-Lark III]

Vern:  Glad to help.  I worked in a paper mill for 32 years, and watched the riggers move pumps and other machinery in and out of some really Godforsaken places -- I guarantee they can pull those motors, even if they had to do it in pieces.
Looking forward to hearing about progress on your boat.  Oh, and you might want to have a little Jack Daniels on hand before you find out the prices on those new diesels -- easier to read if you are "relaxed" !!  Good news, however --- If you go with them, they will outlast both of us.  More fun boating, without the blow ups.

Jim

[Vern]

Vern:  Glad to help.  I worked in a paper mill for 32 years, and watched the riggers move pumps and other machinery in and out of some really Godforsaken places -- I guarantee they can pull those motors, even if they had to do it in pieces.
Looking forward to hearing about progress on your boat.  Oh, and you might want to have a little Jack Daniels on hand before you find out the prices on those new diesels -- easier to read if you are "relaxed" !!  Good news, however --- If you go with them, they will outlast both of us.  More fun boating, without the blow ups.

Jim

C-Lark III:
I just heard from the people at Cummins and there is not enough Jack Daniels bottled to get "relaxed". The Bravo III outdrives for the diesel engines have an "X" designation which signifies they are for a diesel engine. My outdrives do not have this designation. I would need to buy the complete package at a cost of $31,000.00 per package ( 2 required). This price does not include installation. Bargain. I will now research replacing my 1999 gas engines with the newest 5.7's available which will work in my boat. I love my Proline but $62,000.00 + will but a lot of boat. Have a nice day and safe boating.

[C-Lark III]

YIKES !!  Those are obscene prices.  But I was afraid it would be big $$$.
I was at a boat show in Portland, OR a couple weeks ago, and visited the Volvo Penta dealer's booth.  They had a new 4 cylinder turbo/supercharged diesel there on display - 370 HP.  No stern drive, no nothing -- just the motor, for only $34,000.
That's nuts.     

[odykid]

Vern:  Glad to help.  I worked in a paper mill for 32 years, and watched the riggers move pumps and other machinery in and out of some really Godforsaken places -- I guarantee they can pull those motors, even if they had to do it in pieces.
Looking forward to hearing about progress on your boat.  Oh, and you might want to have a little Jack Daniels on hand before you find out the prices on those new diesels -- easier to read if you are "relaxed" !!  Good news, however --- If you go with them, they will outlast both of us.  More fun boating, without the blow ups.

Jim

C-Lark III:
I just heard from the people at Cummins and there is not enough Jack Daniels bottled to get "relaxed". The Bravo III outdrives for the diesel engines have an "X" designation which signifies they are for a diesel engine. My outdrives do not have this designation. I would need to buy the complete package at a cost of $31,000.00 per package ( 2 required). This price does not include installation. Bargain. I will now research replacing my 1999 gas engines with the newest 5.7's available which will work in my boat. I love my Proline but $62,000.00 + will but a lot of boat. Have a nice day and safe boating.

Vern, don't let other Marinas scare you with prices, I know diesel are not cheap to begin with, but with this economy there is a lot you can do, don't where are you located but if you want realistic prices and great service call Mavex Corp Tel: 305-436-1860 and ask for Mike, tell him that Lestter send you, he can help you out on Diesel or Gas engines and a great price, best customer service ever.

My 2 cent's on this one
Thanks
Odykid

[C-Lark III]

Good idea, Odykid --- And another option is rebuilt diesels.  Still looking at new stern drives, but the engines will be much less.  For example, there's an AD41B on eBay now -- rebuilt -- $9500.
Will be interested to see where you end up on the repower decision.  Obviously the gas replacement is least expensive.  
By the way, I don't know what happened to your engine, but if all the bolt on stuff is good (manifolds, pumps, etc.) and all you need is a new block, find a new 350 chevy auto block - (non-marine). I believe the only differences between marine and auto blocks are soft plugs and possibly rotation direction.  If you need opposite rotation compared to the automobile version, have new crankshaft seals put in for the correct rotation, an opposite rotation camshaft and a new set of soft plugs (brass or bronze I think).  Hopefully you could pull them from your existing blown engine.  This should give you a marine engine.  I had a twin 350 Chevy powered Chris Craft in the past, and did exactly that.  I would suggest a marine engine shop to do the work, since they would know if there are other details to attend to in making the swap.

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