Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: E-TEC Mounting Problems
Posted by oliver1234 on 06/12/08 - 5:12 PM
#1
i have decided on the etec for my whaler. i called a few dealers and one of them said that there was going to be problems mounting it, i called another and they said that there was no such problem, the "no problem" dealer is the one that i plan to use. are there problems with the mounting that i should know about before buying? is it going o require a plate or something?
Edited by Tom W Clark on 06/12/08 - 10:13 PM
Posted by ioptfm on 06/12/08 - 5:21 PM
#2
Did he say what kind of problems he thought you were going to encounter? My 15 had and old 70 Evinrude on it when I bought it and the ETEC mounted with no problem at all. Look at my PP and you will see a plate that was used on the inside for added strength. Wasn't necessary, but added it for piece of mind. I can't imagine what he is talking about, but would be very curious to find out.............Smart choice on the ETEC............You will love it! :D
Posted by Joe Kriz on 06/12/08 - 6:07 PM
#4
seabob,
Yes, most all engines these days use the BIA mounting pattern that we are all used to.
Anyone,
Do the E-Tecs have the blind mounting holes like the prior OMC engines?
This is what the thread I linked to above discusses. The blind mounting hole location and how far the engine needs to be raised to accomplish this so the bolts clear the inside of the splash well.
Posted by ioptfm on 06/12/08 - 6:21 PM
#5
When they mounted mine they didn't raise it. They used the 2 blind holes at the bottom, the 2 thru holes at the top and then drilled another set of thru holes. I have 6 bolts holding it onto the transom...........I can send a pic if you like
Posted by Davidk on 06/12/08 - 7:17 PM
#6
seabob4 wrote:
Rest easy, etecs use the same standard BIA mounting pattern as everyone else. The Backing plate on the inside of the transom is a definite help to the integrity of the transom down the line.
I feel like I post on this issue all the time. The older hulls may (repeat ... may) have an issue using the BIA mounting holes. If one was to utilize the BIA holes on the engine, the holes may end up below the bottom of the splash well. This makes for a problem. There is no realistic way to through bolt the transom below the splash well. If the engine has the blind holes available on the mount, these may make for an acceptable mounting confinguration. The blind holes shold be above the splash well.
Obviously, there is more than one way to get an engine mounted. If you continue to have mounting problems, let me know. There are choices, but none are as clean as using the blind holes.
....have I used the disclaimer .... "may" enough?
Posted by Joe Kriz on 06/12/08 - 7:26 PM
#7
Davidk,
The only problem using the blind holes is you cannot raise the engine if it was mounted all the way down originally.
My 1985 Evinrude 70 was mounted all the way down and using the blind holes.
I could not raise the engine because of the blind holes.
My engine needed raising at least 1 hole.
That is why we showed the drawing in the link above to show what you could do to raise the engine and NOT use the blind holes.
As you say, there are different ways to do it.
I could have raised the engine 1 hole and then re-drilled the blind holes 3/4 of an inch higher on the transom.
I also have a friend that has plenty of room to have had the lower holes drilled properly so he could have raised his engine which desperately needs it. However, when the dealer installed the engine, they used the blind holes. They positively should NOT have done that. He has a newer style Whaler so they apparently mounted it like the old days not knowing any better.
Now my buddy needs to re-drill and raise the engine where it should be.
Posted by Davidk on 06/13/08 - 7:27 PM
#8
Joe,
We certainly have gone around on this before, (and I enjoy the conversation) but your post brings a new question to me. As far as you know, are all the blind holes in the same place for the different manufacturers? One would almost think so. If I'm using the blind holes on my Yamaha, and a Suzuki can also use the blind holes, one might believe the holes would be in the same place since a Whaler of the same vintage was probably drilled the same way.
I say all that to say this....No, my engine height can not be changed. I'm using the blind holes. My cavitation plate sits about 1.5" above the bottom of the hull. I'm guessing that's a good mounting height since the boat hits such a sweet spot on the speed. Since we're talking a 20" engine, and if all blind holes are in the same place, wouldn't that mean using the blind holes would be the correct mounting height?
Don't get me wrong. I would prefer to have an option of changing the mounting height, but mine is clearly in the correct spot right now.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 06/13/08 - 10:38 PM
#9
Davidk,
Good question about the placement of the blind holes on all engines.
Not sure.
As far as I know, and I could be wrong, Merc never had any blind holes.
I'm also not sure which engines had blind holes in their brackets or not.
I do know OMC had blind holes.
And you say Yamaha and Suzuki have them.
Maybe we will here from others here on what they have.
My engine was definitely too low because the cavitation plate was putting out way too much spray side to side. It could have definitely been raised at least one hole.
Posted by kamie on 06/14/08 - 4:23 AM
#10
oliver1234,
I have a friend that mounted a 90 e-tec on his Montauk, with no issues at all. Let me know if you want photo's of his setup.
You should not need to use the blind holes if you have them. Work with the dealer that told you no problem and make him show you, on the boat where and how he plans to mount the new engine. Make sure however he mounts it so you can raise it up and your not stuck with it all the way down on the transom.