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Hi all, I am the owner of a 22' Outrage with a Mercruiser 470 (190hp 4bbl carb) with an Alpha One Gen One drive without a cuddy. Just wondering if anybody knows what other engine choices the I/O's came with from the factory...I know of Volvo Penta engines, the Revenge Mercruiser/Chevy 350's, and I am aware of one or two 25 Outrages that have diesels in them. I just rebuilt my Merc fairly cheaply (~$1,000) and re-installed it myself. I'd love to install an approx. 200hp diesel, but was wondering about feedback about the engine mounts and engineering ones to use, especially without their being a factory precedent. In any case, I love the fully transom and am NOT considering the Armstrong bracket route, as many do. I enjoy the look of the full transom and the relative simplicity on working on the engine and outdrive. As maligned as they've been, my 190 (the 3.7L with the four bbl. carb) is light, fuel efficient, and pretty dependable, if treated right. Anybody out there with any past, present, or future-planned projects with this Outrage? Thanks!!
Would love to see some pics, if you have some spare time between using the boat and wishing you were using the boat, post a pic or two.
I have no knowledge myself. But my grandfather has always took diesel over gas. Is there such a thing as a diesel I/O? Or can one be connected to such an outdrive?
A diesel for your Whaler with an Alpha Drive is not a workable idea. The power curve of a diesel brings on workable HP and torque at much lower RPM than a gas engine. The gear ration and propeller selection for an Alpha is for on-plane operation at the higher RPM ranges of gas engines. I would also be very concerned about the ability of the Alpha to stand up under the extra torque produced by a diesel.
If I remember correctly the 470 is essentially an aluminum engine and quite light weight for the power it makes. A diesel producing similar power would weigh much more. I don't know if your Whaler could handle the added weight on the transom and hull.
Additional factors such as needing extra cranking (battery) power, suitability of your original fuel tank, lines and filter, engine cover, loss of value when selling, etc would also require a good deal of thought.
The Outrage 22 was designed for its very beginning in the 1970s accommodate a Sterndrive. That is why it has the odd, full-depth splashwell that goes all the way to the keel; it allowed the hulls to be modified for a sterndrive very easily.
Whaler offered a variety of sterndrives as OE power in the Outrage 22 over the years. 4 cylinder, V-6 and small V-8s were all used. OMC, MerCruiser and Volvo sterndrives could be ordered for the factory, including diesels.
Today, Volvo is far and away the biggest manufacturer of diesel sterndrives. One of their small diesels could easily be retrofitted, but the cost would be exorbitant.
