hello all,


I will be using this boat on lake michigan and inland lakes and rivers.

I have a 1977 Formula 255 Liberator. It is in really good condition, it lived in a rack most of its life, in 2007 it learned what a trailer was. I am the third owner of the boat. It still has the original seats. I got it with no engine just a big empty hole and a spindle (outdrive). I am excited to get this boat back on the water. I have a few questions.

What connects the outdrive to the engine?

What engine would be best?
I have found a mercruiser 260 that will cost me $1900 installed.
Or would a 454 be better.(does the fuel cost make it worth it)

Next,

I have found a 1979 formula interceptor, would it make a good donor boat. Has wiring and trim issues. it does have a mercruiser 260 in it ("needs tune up").


Thank you for any information you can give a rookie that is excited to finally almost have a operational Formula. 5years ago- I owned a 1974 or 76(first year they made them) Formula thunderbird 233 with twin I-6's that needed way too much work. Since then I have been in love with the older Formula's.

I almost have a formula that is water worthy.

Thank you for helping me.

Rick
ps. how do I post a pic?

Ok to post a pic you have to be paying member or host from another site.

Second a guy on the board has a 255 with twin small blocks. He has an extensive thread on rebuilding this thing. Awesome boat he has.
http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...or-update.html

What outdrive is currently on the boat?
There is a coupler that bolts to the flywheel that outdrive splines slide into.

As far as donor boat goes is that motor any good? 350s are inexpensive so wouldn't be expensive to have a whole new motor from carb to oil pan with warranty.

The interceptor should be a 233 Longdeck,,
much more of a performance boat than the liberator which is more of a fast cruiser.
Niether one is gonna get out of its own way with a 250/350. Run maybe 40-42mph at best.
I had a 233 with a 454 and it topped out at 50mph..
Awesome seaworthy boats but take lots of power (and fuel) to get them to perform.

The engine coupler connects the engine to the drive, and transfers power, it mounts to the back of the fly wheel.
A single 260 would move the boat and would be the cheapest way to get it back out on the water. Upgrading to a 454 would have the torque needed to get the boat moving nicely, however you would probably have to upgrade the drive and transom assembly to have reliable package. I am guessing this is a single engine boat? Member Sprink would be the perfect guy to talk to about this...

I've got a complete 454 bravo package I can sell cheap

Thank you for all the responses. yes it is a single engine boat. I am unsure of the outdrive, it is pretty corroded. I would prefer to find a motor and outdrive. Will a 454 fit in this boat. I am assuming it will, lots of room.


Lil' red sent you a pm.

I am not too concerned with how fast it goes as much as how well it will handle in waves. I want to take the boat up to the straits of mackinac and go to Mackinac Island. Along with being in Lake Michigan. Will a 350 use as much gas as a 454? 255 is a pretty heavy boat is the 350 going to have work harder (use more fuel) than the 454?

I will say this lil red is an excellent person to deal with. A 454/bravo will be the best application for you and yes it will all fit

thank you for the advice.... i am waiting for lil red to get back with me!!

OK...my ears are burning...LOL First of all...the 255 Liberator is a great boat but needs big power to release it's potential. Sounds like you got one of the rare few that were built with a single enginewhich was originally most likely a 330 horse 454 with a TRS out drive.Please post several pics so we can help you determinde what you have. ...especially the bilge and transom. You may just have the TRS out drive with out the transmission that fits between the engine and drive.

Personally I wouldn't consider a single small block for this boat. I would find a strong 496 or 502, a TRS Merc or Borg Warner transmission and connect to the TRS out drive. If the current out drive is terribly corroded consider converting to a more modern Bravo I drive that doesn't require the transmission.

Your boat needs a minimum of 500 horsepower or there abouts to perform adequately with a single engine. The Liberator is a heavy boat with a 24* deadrise deep vee hull that cuts through heavy seas like a hot knife through butter. It will make a good Great Lakes boat but with single engine power you will be miserable with a single small block.

The ideal single engine set up will be a 502 Gen VI Big Block modified to produce a reliable 500-550 horsepower running thru a '98 0r newer Bravo I built to handle the torque (500 Ft #'s plus) that a strong Gen VI 502 will produce. Even with this power don't expect the boat to run much past 60 MPH.

I will be more than happy to help you engineer and budget this project. I know these boat well because I have spent 3: years working thru mine. Follow the link previously posted by ICU previously. Lil Red may have exactly what you need...you can trust what he says and represents...he is of very strong character and honest as well as exstreemly knowledgeable.

So take those pics and post them so we can see what you have to work with...this will be an interesting project....one that will begin to have many followers.

Last but certainly not least...welcome to the Forum. You will find that most of the guys you will meet here of are very knowledgeable and go out of their way to help you any way they can. Get reccomendations from several people regarding things you don't understand.

Remember...your character is who you are when no one else is looking. You will find that most of the guys here are of the highest character and will advise you with sincerity.