Questions about I/o to outboard conversion

[1224bret]

Well after deciding not to sell my boat earlier this year I started some repairs on it then as luck would have it I blew the engine last week.... Damn the luck.... Well I've decided that the main reason I wanted to sell it earlier this year is that I'm a outboard guy and now I have the perfect reason to make the swap to outboard and keep my boat. So I'm now trying to get things together to add a bracket. My budget for an engine is going to be around 3k or less. That leaves me some room in my buget for the bracket and rigging. Want my total cost to be less than 5k and 4500 would be even better. My question is for that kind of money what engine would you choose? I've found some ox66 yamaha in the 150-250hp range but I'm worried about the weight. I know I can find an older mercs or johnnyrude for that or less but I'm kind of worried about trusting the older engines and most around here have seen an exstinsive amount of saltwater use especially those with a 25" or 30" shaft. I guess I'm just wondering from those that have worked on outboards a lot should I keep looking at later (as in the 97-2003ish models in my budget) such as the ox66 or merc efi or should I look for a older and probably lighter motor such as a 2.5 merc and just try to find one that has the least amount of salt corrosion? As far as weight goes how important is it really? I don't have a self. Bailing deck since it was a I/o and I will be pulling a v8 chevrolet that I'm sure with outdrive and all has to weigh over 1000lbs. Is it a concern of the transome not being able to stand up against the weight? I've got some time as it will be a few weeks before I have all the cash together. Until the ill be digging up all the old posts on this site where others have done the same conversion.