I know the cradles tie everything together but he isn't using them.. The mounting plates that he is using I would think would bend or break from all the weight thats bearing down on them plus add the pounding that they will take!! Personally i would box the ends in and move on!

I would just mount the shift linkage on the transom then. Thats what I did on my Pantera.

If you are not already - I'd suggest using SS nyloc nuts.
Even if you double nut, make the outer one is a nyloc nut.
Extra security.

Thats right, particularly on the bottom nut. If not too late you should also look closely at your splines in the couplers as they are probably shot due to the engine mounts loose.

Loose great, good job!

BT

Totally agree about the couplers. I have seen it before, one was so out of round / warped that almost sounded like a crank bearing knock.

Thank you all for your suggestions, Griff, unfortunately I dont have any room on the transom. Just the way the boat was built so I will have to either modify the bracket or mount on the stringer. 40gt, yes I am using grade 8 nuts with nylock SS nuts to lock them in. Blue thunder & BUP the couplers were starting to go on the 496's, These engines came as complete drop ins with new bellhousings & couplers that is also why I am replacing the gimble bearings that & they are not servicable. I have been putting a lot of thought into this project to deal with problems before they happen, As you all probably know things got a lot more expensive as a result. Things like the shift bracket I thought were solved but not to be, I never would have thought about mounting on a stringer but why not? I do have a question about the msd box, the power wire, does it need to be hooked to battery direct or switched power? Thanks again for all of your help & advice. Randy

Brother Randy , do yourself a huge favor , do it once do it right . You took your time and made everything nice now take your time and make it strong and worry free . Cradles are cheap and very , very easy to mount . I did mine and never even saw one before . Once it's in it's permanent and so is your engine alignment . I never could understand why so many guys here build huge horsepower and torque monsters and hang them on mounts that were engineered for stock power . One must try and see down the road further than the end of ones nose and recognize all the consequences of the changes we make . What will be safe and what will not . I would like to see your really nice work become really great work . Sam....the deep

When I decided to drop the coin & make this project happen I was just going to pull out the 496's, clean up the bilge, fix or replace whatever wasnt working, drop in some new power & go boating. After cleaning I saw the runs in the paint & just a dingy look overall, so out came the sandpaper & off to town I went. I was able to sand & paint without completely disassembling everything, now going back together I am taking my time, taking pics of my progress & after reading the build threads here on OSO decided to do the same. After reading comments/ advice & talking to a few people I have made a few changes from the original plan. I was going to bolt in new power with the same hardware that came with the boat. I talked with Sam " the deep" the other day about installing engine cradles & he offered some good reasoning for going that direction, I dont think I am going to do that just yet after looking things over considering the previous engines were loose & moving around nothing was broken but some bolts were bent, I have adressed that problem by replacing the bolts with larger bolts. I do want to go on record & say that if I do have any issues with engine mounts Sam has first dibs on telling me " I told you so". I dont think I will have any problems as this boat has had this kind of power in the past without problems but I will keep my eyes open as I break in these engines. With that said here are some pics of progress, plumbing, wiring, & shifter placement. Again thank you for your comments/ advice I do take them into consideration & nothing is set in stone yet. Randy

looks good,get her done and drive the hell out of her.

I intend to!! Just waiting for the weather to warm back up so I can finish running wiring then I will drop the other engine in before putting in storage. Randy