Bertram33 User Forum

Joe, Thanks for the update. I knew about the down angle transmissions needed to be lifted up in the aft end. I plan on getting all new mounting brakets for this aswell. Do you have some pics? if you cant post them on the site, please email them to me thomas.dalyjr@gmail.com Thanks Tom

Just sent you a few pics of the engine beds & installation.

quote:Originally posted by h2ojst Hi Tom, I'm the one with the down angle trany's. I moved the engines back almost a full foot & yes, I needed new shafts. The plus side of this is you get lots more room in the front of the engines to work & the boat tends to sit better in the water. (SF's are a little bow heavy with an empty fuel tank.)I also had to re-prop. The extra weight aft requires a smaller set of wheels to get you at the correct RPM range. I'd try what you have first & play with cutting them down if needed. I also added 70 gals. of water back where the generator used to be so you may not need as small a wheel as I'm running. You will also need to re-mount the engine brackets on the stringers. The down angle requires the engine to sit more horizontal on the beds. Joe Tomaini 1988 Sportfish Attitude Adjustment II Bath, NC

Tom, Sorry for the VERY late response but here is what I know for what it's worth. Only had to move between 6-10 inches. As I replaced the B.W 72 trannys with the ZF All worked out well as the ZF's are shorter by almost that amount. A bigger problem was that I had to raise the engines almost 2-3 inches to keep all the alignments proper. now have about 75 hrs on both engines. overall average for them is still between 0.7-0.8 mpg (from ECU via Maretrons on NEMA2K network with Garmins) Also, still shy on RPM but recent weekend with very full load of people (probably too many), fuel, ice, water and "other" liquids with the current props there was no noticeable change in performance.

not sure how to post pics, but I have them if you want

Wetprocess, please forward any pics to me, @ thomas.dalyjr@gmail.com If you want I can link the pics to this thread throug my photobucket acct.

Gents 250 hrs each engine 0.7 mi/gal cruise @4250 RPM/23-25kt WOT 0.5 mi/gal @5650 RPM/32-34kt Garmin speed, Maretron Fuel burn Props 21 x 25 Nibral Med Cup. JUMPS on plane Only problem so far was both low pressure fuel pumps replace on warr.

Great numbers! I'll bet you;re happy.

RPM's are incredible ! I know it's hard to quantify, but are they noisier than 454's ? Rick Ticket 85 SF Merc 454 MPI's Falmouth, MA

Wetprocess any chance you could email me some pics also of your 383 installation would love to see how it came out. Grumpygruner@verizon.net how is everything still going any new performance numbers?

Mike, Are you planning on shoehorning them into your 28, or do you have other ideas?

doug i was just curios how they were working out just for future reference thats all, would like a 33 still but if it doesnt happen would probably put a pair of 383 in the 28 at some point they will drop right in probably have to move them back a touch to compensate for shorter ZF transmissions those 383 s are great motors we have swapped out a few sea rays with 454s in them and the boats run better faster and better on fuel if thats all have a guy coming monday to look at my boat he seems very very very interested so we will see

Good luck