I have a 1981 Hunter 27
I also had a RC8. I put in a new motor a little over a year ago.I shopped around and paid $4,600.00 for a new Vetus twin 16 HP diesel. Best thing I ever did. It's a great engine and all the power you will ever need for a H27. Also I checked with H&H prop, gave them the RPMs as stated in the Manuel and they told me the prop on the boat was OK. That saved me some $$$ too. The engine will fit with some minor adjustments. I used the old motor mount plates but had to turned them up side down. The same holes that were drilled through the fiberglass were used. The lower back corners of the angle iron had to be trimmed a little because the corner of the angle iron was hitting the floor and we needed to lengthen them a little because the motor mounts on the Vetus were wider apart. Other than that this engine will hook up without too much problem. I did have to raise the steps up one inch and bring them back one inch. I did this by attaching a block of teak wood to the floor at the bottom of the steps. If your not sure how to line up the motor on the shaft have someone do it for you. I had someone help me with it and paid him about $700.00 (He also did some other stuff for me too.Anyway if your boat is in good shape and you like it don’t let people scare you. It was the best thing I ever did for my boat. In stead of the old noisy vibrating beast that was in her. She’s quiet, smooth, and will cruise at hull speed very easily. Its like having a completely different boat.