Read through sprinks thread I posted. He has done this already and gives great detail and pics

Ok thank you. I will try to get in there for pictures tonight.

I uploaded new pictures....It was a pain to get the snow and ice off, but probably a good thing, lots of weight on the tarp.

http://s43.photobucket.com/user/rick...tml?sort=2&o=0

Ok your in pretty good shape. It's an alpha or pre alpha best I can tell. Read the thread I posted cause sprink did the pre alpha to bravo conversion. You will need the template and drill 2 additional holes and then you can bolt the transom assembly in place. That's your first step. Remove what's there and get new bolted in.

That looks like an OMC stringer drive to Merc Alpha one conversion. If that were my boat I would cut out the whole transom, and re-do the whole back end. Then you could cut out for whatever drive you want and raise the x dimension while your at it.

I have started to read that thread but there is so many pages it is hard to go through them all. the conversion seems to be "simple" enough. where would I get new motor mounts and how do I know where they go?

Cutting out the whole back end??? that sounds like a very difficult task. I do not want to raise the "x" I want to be able to handle big waves and not risk the outdrive levitating.

Its not that bad to replace. On a 35yr old boat the odds are that you may not have a choice in doing a transom. And raising the x will not hurt. Formula ran the drives super deep back then.

the transom seems pretty solid!!!!

You definitely might wanna see what that backing plate is for. It could be hiding bad wood. If it isn't you should be fine. You'll know more when you get old stuff out of the way.

Also if your too lazy to read through a thread that has done what your doing you will find resistance. Hell I've read through 50, 80 and 100 page threads. Lots of info and good banter. I would say take the time finish that thread then come back with questions.