Looking at buying a 1989 bravo one came with 454/330 (7.4/v8 bravo on air cleaner) is there any problems with an early bravo?
Anything to be aware of or look out for? Pros/cons? All opinions welcome.
Thanks in advance

Ok let's re-word, are there any differences in bravo 1's as related to production dates?
Thanks

If I recall the bullet shape was somewhat different and said not to be as hydrodynamically efficient as the newer style. It was reported the first 4 or 5 years of the Bravo's to market seemed to work better with a good nose cone added, if I recall correctly.

Also the older Bravo units seemed to hold up a lot better against higher hp engine apps than the current ones. The past 10 - 15 year old Bravo's surely have been weaker internally. Somewhere in that timeframe they just do not hold up as well as the older units.

Bup, thank you for sharing your knowledge, i am looking at acquiring a donner boat 1989 with 454/330 bravo 1.
I need to replace my 454/330 alpha. I know about the short commings of the engine, and did not want to get a drive that again will not hold up to power. My near term goal is to put about 500 hp in front of it. Again any info greatly appericiated.

The older bravos do not have the bilge mounted rive oil rez. either

I was told the oil line from the drive to inside of the boat has a leak (corroded-weathered) and the alarm will go off after a short time. Does this indicate a bilge mounted reservoir?
IS THE LACK OF OIL REZ A PROBLEM?

Are U sure this is a 1989 Bravo set with the Res and Alarm. I want to say that came into play around 1991 or 92.

Used boat owner has no real idea about boats, don't really know. How would i tell short of s/n?

I looked on boats.net for 1989 bravo exploded parts diagram and they show the bravo for that year comes with either round or square rez??

I think it was for an add on kit for the balck production engines until 1991 it became standard equipment. As I said I do not think the alarm was there in 1989 but came around in 91 or 92.

Year - get the last 4 of the HIN of the hull and the serial # for engine and drive. Just in case something was changed out thru the years.