Konrad/Speedmaster IIIA conversion
 

Doller Offshore Marine has just completed the first ever SSM IIIA Sterndrive conversion to the NEW Konrad Replacement Sterndrive, with outstanding results!
Here is the Press Release;

Attention Speedmaster III/IIIA owners:

Konrad Marine of Hudson, Wisconsin is proud to announce our latest addition to the Konrad product line, a direct replacement for the aging MerCruiser Speedmaster III and IIIA sterndrive unit.

Parts for the once mighty Speedmaster III series drives have become increasingly difficult, if not impossible to obtain and owners of these drives find themselves in a very formidable position when faced with drive issues. Since the SSMIII/IIIA units are very unique to the other drive alternatives on the market, a Herculean re-rigging task is required to convert to these alternatives including filling of the transom and re cutting for a new gimbal assembly. Re-rigging a Speedmaster boat to the Bravo drive system makes little sense as most Speedmaster equipped vessels have been fitted with power much greater than the Bravo unit can handle reliably. Re-rigging an older boat to the Speedmaster Six series drives, although a rugged alternative, could be considered financial suicide as the cost of conversion could exceed many times the value of the boat.

The Konrad SSMIII/IIIA retro fit kit has greatly simplified the SSMIII conversion process. All that’s required is to pull the existing Speedmaster drive units, pull the hinge pins from the SSM gimbal ring, remove the drive bellhousing and install the specially designed Konrad SSM conversion bellhousing. The Konrad drive unit slides right in place with minimal effort thanks to Konrad’s exclusive input shaft line up pin arrangement. Most conversions can be completed in a matter of just a few hours. The Konrad SSM conversion system is delivered as a complete kit including all necessary components to complete the installation in a trouble free manner.

The drive chosen for this conversion is a slightly modified version of the proven Konrad 540. The drive unit is fitted with our optional HD upper input shaft and HP lower gear case as standard equipment. As a bonus, the Konrad conversion unit is 2” shorter from input shaft to propshaft than the Speedmaster III series drives. This increase in propshaft height has proven to be beneficial as most of the SSMIII units were mounted rather deep. Initial testing has proven to be a 100% success with slight speed gains to boot!

This conversion was performed here along with Kurt (biggus) and Randy from Konrad on a 1994 Cigarette Top Gun.
(Thanks Guys, great to have you here!, but I am sure you did miss that 8 degree weather at home...)
Lot's of pictures and story to follow...Stay Tuned!

Where we started...
 

This is the Beautifully updated 1994 38' Cigarette.
Has 600hp Motors, HAD 1.50:1 SSM IIIA Sterndrives, with 4 blade chopper props 15.25 X 26. Turning 5600 RPMs for a top speed of 74.5 MPH.

Pulled IIIA drives off, and Bell Housings
 

Disconnect steering and trim cylinders. Unbolt from bell housing, and removed drives. Next step will be, remove bell housing, and install Konrad bell housing with new bellows and reservoir hose...

New Konrad goes on
 

This is the standard length lower included with the Sterndrive. The bell housing has been changed, and now it is time to install the drive, and hook up the trim rams and steering. The existing Marine Machine Steering worked PERFECTLY with the new Konrad Wing Plates. The only modifications were a couple of spacer washers!
How easy is this!

How much lower is the "X" than a #5. What kind of props work on the Konrads? What prop would you run on a step hull to provide some bow lift?

The Konrad/SSMIII conversion drive is 4" deeper than a SSMV, (2" higher than the III) From your pics I see your SSMV is fitted with a 2" spacer, that would put the Konrad unit 2" deeper than your present configuration.
As for props, it really depends on the boat but I've seen great results with labbed Maximus 5 blade.

Thanks for the positive comments guys!!!:drink: And BIG thanks to Doller Offshore for all their help during this project! :D

[email protected]

Changing the gimbal bell housing
 

The pivot/hinge pin cover plates have to be removed, then remove the pins. This is one example of Mercury's configuration, if yours is different we can help you with that.
The bellows and gear oil lines are then disconnected, everything is cleaned and new parts installed.
You will no longer need the engagement starter spring from the tail stock, it will not be used with the Konrad drive.
Re-install the bell housing with the Konrad pivot pin's, and re-install the cover plates.
**Please note* Konrad includes an excellent installation manual that provides further details for your individual project!

install the drive
 

you are now ready to install the drive using the Konrad supplied bell housing gasket. Prepare the drive for installation, engage the spline as it is installed, and fasten to the bell housing.

Is the vertical shaft splined or triangular? 1 0r 2 vertical shafts?

1 shaft, splined, coupler connects the lower to the upper vertical driveshaft.