888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

[Deepwtr]

I have a 1989 VIP with an alpha 1 outdrive. It had a blown mercruiser 140 and I was thinking about regearing the outdrive and dropping an 888 ford 302 in. Besides changing the gear ratio to a 1.5/1 and changing the exhaust single pipe over to a y pipe for the 888, is there anything else I should look out for? Thanks for your time.

 

[achris]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Yep! The length of the drive shaft is different. You wouldn't get full engagement in the engine coupler with the shorter shaft. I think it's about 1 1/2" longer for the V8s, but one of the other guys should be able to verify that.<br /><br />Chris.........

 

[Bondo]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Ayuh,........<br /><br />The 888 was a Pre-Alpha driveline......<br /><br />Getting it married to an Alpha is going to be a Real Chore......<br />Lot's of Subtle Differences........<br /><br />1st off is the Rear Motor Mounts............<br />Alpha's are about 9" apart.......<br />The 888 is 15"........

 

[vipzach]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

I have a 91 VIP,18 footer, it has a merc 3.0L, with that big V8 you might have a hard time getting on plane...just a thought.

 

[Deepwtr]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Isn't getting the boat on plane pretty much a function of the power needed to push it up on plane? Any other thoughts with the V-8? The local marine shop here said that VIP's usually had engine options as far as 4 cyl, 6 or 8, and therefore the boat shouldn't have a problem with a v-8. <br /><br />Hmm, as for the engine mounts, I wasn't aware of that. My local marine shop here said it would be a direct bolt in with an Alpha 1. Drive shaft I think can be worked out pretty easy.....

 

[Deepwtr]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Kind of another thought, what were some of the mercruiser v-8 engines with the alpha 1?

 

[JasonB]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

One big issue is reworking the front motor mounts on the stringers. <br /><br />Mercruiser V8's after '77 or '78 were Chevy 305 and 350's with some 454's sprinkled in.<br /><br />I like my 888, but unless you have the cash for it and just really want an adventure, I would drop another 3.0 back in and go. I would likely be MUCH less expensive to find a boat with a V8 that deal with all the little problems of this swap.<br /><br />I fear for the availibility of some parts in the coming years for my 888 as well, like couplers, manifolds, tstat housings, etc.

 

[Deepwtr]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Will the inner part of a pre-alpha gimbal housing fit the outer gimbal housing of an alpha?

 

[achris]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

no

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

finding the 888 ford Y pipes is a chore in itself. would be easier to buy a package new and install it. but its expensive.

 

[Deepwtr]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Ebay is a wonderful place!

 

[Deepwtr]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Actually, for exhaust I was thinking about running it through the transom. However, I haven't had any luck yet finding the correct elbows for the 888 manifolds. Any suggestions?

 

[hondon]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Look at a 233 Mercru TR inboard.

 

[JasonB]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

There's a place in australia that make some stainless manifolds for Ford engines that are designed to convert an 888 to thru hull, but they are $1400 a set shipped. They are MUCH lighter than the stick cast ones.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

It would be Much Easier to drop in Any of the engines that WERE mounted to the ALPHA in the 1st Place.....................<br /><br />3.0l...<br />3.7l.....<br />4.3l......<br />305ci.....<br />350ci.......<br /><br />If you Insist on a Ford,... You're in for a World of Nightmares..........

 

[Deepwtr]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Ok, I know everyone is razzing me about the 302 with the Alpha 1 drive, but I just don't have cash to drop in a late model motor. So, my plan is to modify the ford bell housing mounts to fit on the alpha drive. Should be pretty easy to tig some new bushing holders in place. I have also got the splined shaft from an 888 pre-alpha drive which should be longer than the original shaft from the 140. My question is how much of the splines should I make sure are in the coupler? In a normal drive, what is the spline engagement?

 

[Don S]

Re: 888 302 with 89 Alpha 1

Should be pretty easy to tig some new bushing holders in place.

Those rear mounts must be located VERY accuratly, that is what controls the location of the coupling to the gimbal bearing and the drive. If it's off, even a little bit, you will be going through couplers very quickly, at $350+ per coupler.