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BRAVO UPGRADE!!

M

Mr. Buss

Well-known member
I send out a big thanks to TheNerd and Gimmie Fuel for helping me find and get my hands on this deal!! :thumb::thumb::thumb:


OK, got myself a bravo for the senator, and it came with a boat..

So i guess i need to know, has anybody ever put a bravo on a small block???

I'm Not familiar with the bravo's at all... i honestly havent even started researching it

I was told that i need a external sea pump, there is no pump in the lower.

I think i need to open up the hole in the transom a little ??


Do they use different couplers or bellhousings?? (I got those parsts too, i just dont wanna sell off stuff i may need..)

what else??

Any input is appreicated!!

i got a few months to collect parts before i start on the project anyway, just wanna make sure i get everything
 
illMATTic said:
So you must be up to 5 boats in the yard now? :eek:
Click to expand...


thats not even funny...:popcorn:


just for the record i only have one boat at the house.. which is leaving sunday or monday....well hopefully..who knows!!

I brought this one straight to work, im gonna finish tearin it apart tonight, and im NOT bringin' it home!!
 
Lakeside Restorations said:
I have done many conversions & Upgrades. You will need a sea pump for the engine, bravo shift bracket & a bravo transom assembly to make it work. ;) Jamie / Lakeside Restorations
Click to expand...


thanks !!

i bought a complete boat, so i got almost everything. the bbc thats in it has a cam driven water pump, so i need to find a belt driven pump or something.. for a small block :bigthumb:

am i gonna need a different thermostat housing and a water crossover to replace the circulating pump??

is the hole in the transom close to the same size?
bolts in different spots??
 
Merc puts Bravo 2 and 3 behind 350 mpi in larger boats, A Bravo 1 bolts up to a 2 and 3 gimbal. As far as the cut out goes you will have to drill a hole and cut it a little larger in spots. you may be able to get your hands on a template, You will have to pay close attention to engine to drive alignment. I have some bravo transom cutout info some where, Kip may be able to help you with a template. All you need is a paper one.

If you have the whole boat I take it you have a gimbal assembly. so with some research and thought you have a great winter project and when finished it should be cool.
 
Its kinda funny, as we were pulling the outdrive off and talking about the project we figured the two people here that whould know the most about the swap would be Lakeside Restorations and MKhammer. Thanks for info guys.
 
TheNerd said:
Its kinda funny, as we were pulling the outdrive off and talking about the project we figured the two people here that whould know the most about the swap would be Lakeside Restorations and MKhammer. Thanks for info guys.
Click to expand...


X2 !! :thumb:

btw this is what i bought..

IMG_3302.png
IMG_3299.png
 
Last edited:
Nice boat there! Is it a wreck, or still driveable? What are you going to do with that boat once you've taken the drive off?

Wait, what about using the BBC in the Senator along with the Bravo!!
 
The boat looks like it was originially a jet, some one decided to "convert" it to an outdrive. It is actually a pretty cool looking boat, but would needs tons of work to ever see the water again, but I assume that could be done.
 
Mr. Buss said:
thanks !!

i bought a complete boat, so i got almost everything. the bbc thats in it has a cam driven water pump, so i need to find a belt driven pump or something.. for a small block :bigthumb:

am i gonna need a different thermostat housing and a water crossover to replace the circulating pump??

is the hole in the transom close to the same size?
bolts in different spots??
Click to expand...

The cut out for a bravo is the same as the alpha, the bravo just has 2 more upper bolts/studs. ;)

You may or may not need a different Tstat housing. It will depend on whic one you have & how creative you get in plumbing it. A crossover & outlet upgrade may be the best way to go. It will also gain you a little power. It will also allow you to loose the need for the recirc pump because the water will be pushed thru by the seawater pump..

We also sell part if you need any for the swap.. :) Jamie / Lakeside Restorations..

.
 
Oh good I see you have everything just hold the transom plate up to mark and drill the holes no need for a template
I did one for a guy 2-years ago that had a 1988 fourwinns 330 hp big block w/ an alpha. The bravo transom is deeper and did not go in all the way. I had to trim the cut out some to make it seat. It had a taper to it. Seal it real good w/ a marine silicon adhesive caulking torque it and re-torque and check engine alignment at 50 hrs of running or end of season which ever comes first
So the swap is a piece of cake.

Just get your hands on an alignment bar when you put the engine back in. you may have to invest in one they don't cost much if you are going to be doing all the work yourself.


MKHammer
 
:bigthumb:THANKS GUYS!!!:thumb::D

Thats just the info i was looking for!!

Nerd hit the nail on the head when he said " Jaime at Lakeside or mkhammer will know exactly what you need to do"

like Thenerd said eariler, the boat is actually in pretty rough shape, but i got it striped down and it needs a new home

as for the motor, im sticking with the small bolck, i got some ideas for it......:sssh: the big block is a 30 over 396 so i really aint gaining all that much but a bunch of weight.

heres todays after work project..

PB140020.png
PB140034.png
 
or make a template off the transome after you remove the drive ?oops i posted before gettin thru 2nd page
 
i have a friend with a baja that has a bravo behind a 350 small block. works great, but like others have said before, you will need a sea water pump that is run off the engine and all the bravo hook ups.
 
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