[71sport408]

Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and decided it was time for my first post. I have a 19 foot 1969 Tahiti that has been in my family since new. The boat has an inline six and the original mercruiser outdrive. The hull is solid but I plan on gutting it for new paint and interior. The boat has a ton of sentimental value and I would love to bring it back to life. The boat will be a family lake and ski boat. I would like to build a mild small block and replace the outdrive. Im thinking alpha 1 but I'm not sure. It's a bit hard to find resources as its basically a jet style hull with an outdrive. Am I headed in the right direction with the alpha 1? What sort of issues might come up? The project is in the planning stages and I can't wait to get started. I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!

 

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Hi everyone,

I am new to the forum and decided it was time for my first post. I have a 19 foot 1969 Tahiti that has been in my family since new. The boat has an inline six and the original mercruiser outdrive. The hull is solid but I plan on gutting it for new paint and interior. The boat has a ton of sentimental value and I would love to bring it back to life. The boat will be a family lake and ski boat. I would like to build a mild small block and replace the outdrive. Im thinking alpha 1 but I'm not sure. It's a bit hard to find resources as its basically a jet style hull with an outdrive. Am I headed in the right direction with the alpha 1? What sort of issues might come up? The project is in the planning stages and I can't wait to get started. I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks!

would like to see pictures I think that would have an r drive (early alpha ) are you wanting new or used parts I think the bell housing and coupler from the six will fit an old small block with a 2 piece rear main.The mounts are going to be different from the 6 to the V8 I guess the question is money it would be cool to leave the six in and find a dual carb manifold for it parts are avalible for the six and your drive if it will have enough power for you I think it would be cooler just my opinion good luck I love seeing the old boats restored

 

[71sport408]

Thanks for the reply. I have toyed around with the idea of beefing up the six. Maybe even a blow through turbo setup for something different. Here are some pics when I pulled the boat out of storage at the grandparents. Looks pretty rough but the hull is solid. It's cleaned up now, rub rail removed(plan on capping), etc. Notice the drive has a hole from corrosion.

 

[71sport408]

View attachment 173937

 

[71sport408]

 

[71sport408]

 

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View attachment 173939

nice boat dont see to many any more with a v8 you could shorten the engine cover.I think a 350 alpha would be good just depends on new or used let me know what your thinking

 

[71sport408]

My plan is to eliminate the engine cover. While I think doing the six would be cool I am leaning towards the small block and alpha. I have no problem building the engine from scratch but I don't have much experience with the drives. Im wondering if it would be wise to find a donor motor and drive together and go from there. I'm still researching what it would all take to swap to the alpha. The basics aren't bad but trim, steering, linkages, etc. are what I'm worried about. Thanks for all your input so far.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Im wondering if it would be wise to find a donor motor and drive together and go from there.

That is a much easier way to go just because you will have all the stupid parts that will cost a fortune if you have to buy them piece by piece.

 

[71sport408]

Any specific donors I should look for or stay away from?

 

[bkaltec]

That's awesome, was the boat from the factory like that? I thought about a jet hull and filling in the hole where the pump goes. My concern was how deep the drive would be, that thing looks buried.

If you can find any sbc alpha combo with maybe a trashed block your in good shape. Just use the accessories and drive setup, build your own engine and mind the cam overlap and duration.

Something consider is you if you have to rebuild the engine mounts and rear seats if applicable, the sbc with its fat manifolds is pretty wide.

 

[71sport408]

Yep that's how it came from the factory. It's pretty buried but always ran well. Not a super high performance machine but it did its job great. I don't think there's much I can do about moving the drive up. It had two seats one on either side of the engine cover and I'm just going to do away with those. It will still have ample seating in the front and that's where everyone liked to ride anyway. Sounds like that would be a fun project! Give it a shot!