WIll This Work ??

[samhales]

I am refurbishing an older model fibreglass outboard boat. While doing this I thought why not switch to an inboard surface drive. Having said that, does anyone know if using a complete vehicle engine and transmisson for the power source be a problem? If so, what would I be up against? There is not much that I can't do my self ie: fibreglass modification, steel fabrication etc. I have all the tools and am reasonably mechanicaly skilled.
I would be using a 115 hp 2.0 litre VW gas engine with an automatic transmission, cooling would be either fresh water pump in or just the present radiator with increased capacity. I would machine my own surface drive unit and have it properly balanced at a drive line shop. Any thoughts would be more than appreciated before I start carving this thing all up.
Please feel free to provide your advice no matter what it is.
Sam

[gonzo]

Check all the other threads on this subject. In short, it is more expensive than buying a marinized engine package. Automatic transmission don't work well because they keep on shifting. You can lock it in low but the reduction is too high.

[samhales]

Thanks for the reply Gonzo. I learned later that I could search threads to find exactly what I was looking for. Kind of new to the forum stuff. Now that I know I can search topics, I am sure I will find all I need and then some.
This site is amazing and so rich with content, expertise and experience.
Off I go!!!!!
Thanks
Sam