Ok, so I have a 1997 donzi 22zx. The engine seized years ago and was removed with the outdrive by a dealer but never replaced or put back in. so it is missing a outdrive and engine but in good shape.

So I know nothing about boat but am learning. What I know so far

I need a 7.4l 454 marine engine around the same year

Also a mercury bravo 1 outdrive standard rotation

Someone said I need to find out the ratio for the outdrive? idk why or what the use of this is.

Tool to align the outdrive and engine.

So my question is will any marine 454 7.4l work? That I should be able to buy one from ebay. and it align up well?
Also do I need to specifically get that type of out drive? a bravo 1? is that mercury brand?
These are the issues im running into when im trying to price this out I don't know if im pricing the right engine and outdrive.

Or if theres anything im missing. or any suggestions !

Any mercruiser engine will bolt in and plug in, and yes a bravo 1 is a mercruiser model of outdrive. I would suggest though that either you do a lot more research, line up a well known marina to source and repower the boat for you or buy a running boat. Not judging you, everyone starts somewhere. But if you want to enjoy boating follow that advice until you know for sure exactly what's involved putting a boat back together.

Is just the engine missing or is everything gone (bellhouse, coupler, accessory brackets, accessories)? It can be pricey to buy all that stuff and piece it together, maybe you should look for a full 454 take out. Find a used bravo 1 either 1.5 or 1.65 to one, doesn't really matter, and they aren't rotational specific. You will need a prop.

As stated above, it looks like you will need to have someone help you, or do a lot of reading and research first. Many people come on here and spend relatively big money on a project like this when they could have got one turn key for much less.

Yea, and I can see how . If ive replaced car engines and streetbike engines, I don't see a boat engine being much more difficult. Im on here as also on the hull truth and screamandfly. Im reading as much as I can and just trying to find out Terms and such, as I know I need to be doing a lot of research and where else to learn then from others that have done it before?

So im looking now at old boats,

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/4677601781.html Gonna try and buy this one, gonna see what year the engine is tho. If its older then 1994 probably wont get it.



http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/4675649518.html



http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/4673169160.html


These would come with everything I needed and I can see the boat run. Are these good deals then? Merc 454 with bravo 1 outdrive. I should be able to buy one of these and just swap the outdrive and engine right? and sense It comes running I wont need to worry about like the throttle body and bolts and stuff sense its all there.

Gonna look into and see if the bellhousing is there and stuff. That's the hardware between the engine and outdrive right?But its looking like its gonna be cheaper to finda running boat with a 454 and just swap it over. so itll have everything I need. From what I understand is the engine compartment is completely empty. If I go and look at it today, what specifics should I look at? should I take any specific pictures?

OK, Any chevy based motor will drop right in. What you are most lokely looking for is a mercruiser 454 (7.4) or a mercruiser 454 mag. The mag will have better parts in it, bigger rods, forged crank, better heads and make 365 hp vs 330 for the standard merc 454. THe other plus with the mag is that if you eventually want to build more power, the mag is a good platform to start from. The standard 454 is very limited due to the cast crank, little rods and peanut port heads. Look for a complete take out with exhaust, coupler bellhousing etc.. The swapshop forum here and the powerboat swapshop are good places to look. Fuel injection vs carb wont matter as both engines will plug in directly to the factory boat electrical plug.

THe bravo one drive can also be found in either places too. THere are basically (for your purposes) 2 different bravo ones and you need to figure out which ne you need, One has provisions for a drive oil resevoir in the bilge the other does not. you want a 1.5 ratio outdrive.

You shoud expect to pay around 2500 for a decent 454 takeout and 1000-1500 for the bravo drive if you take your time and shop.

Also member Whoya sells the alignment tool at a really nice price.

1st link: 34' foot boat, shaft drive, probably no trailer, probably wouldn't want to deal with it just for a 330 horse 454

2nd link: Looks like a clean 365 horse mag, outdrive stolen though, could take out sell hull, lot of work and may be sitting on it for a while

3rd link: Frozen 330 horse 454 that needs rebuild, alpha one drive (even though ad says bravo) - nothing good there

Exactly the reply I was looking for. Thank you. It cleared up a lot of what I was wanting and looking for. Im gonna keep my eye out for a boat someone is selling cheap. and a "complete takeout" was the term I was looking for.

But now that I know what to be looking for I can really start looking.

Car engine wont work right? just verifying.
Also what if the engine was sea and im going to lake ?

Also ive found a few boats that have a 454 and is a jet boat, is it possible to make it a jet boat or not?