KyHeadhunter1
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2012
- Messages
- 45
Hello All. My name is Jim and I have been a long time Iboats customer, but I am new to the forums. Last week I bought another boat, a 1995 Baja Islander 188. I bought this from its original owner that was in financial trouble and needed to get out of the payment. Instead of repossessing the boat, the bank offered a settlement of $790.00! My interest was purely in the very nice Eagle trailer that is under it for my other boat and part out the engine and drive to get my 800.00 back. But, when I brought it home the wife and kids really liked it and want me to fix it up, but we will save those details for the build thread.
Anyway, the boat has a 350 with a Alpha 1 Gen II drive. When I started looking it over real good, I noticed the numbers didn't add up. I called the previous owner (my interest was purely in the trailer when I bought it) and started asking questions. The boat originally came with a 4.3LX. That engine froze and cracked due to not being properly winterized around 2004 or 2005. They took out the 4.3 and dropped in a complete marine 350 out of a wrecked water patrol boat in front of the 4.3 drive.
They used the boat for three years like this with a 25 pitch aluminum prop then it was put into storage till I bought her. The owner said the boat would run about 40 mph like this but I imagine the prop was flattening out from the torque and weight of the boat.
I downloaded the Mercruiser year identification pdf form from the sticky post in the top of this forum, but I couldn't make heads or tails of it. However, here are the numbers:
350 Mag, carbed engine (late 80s early 90s with centerbolt valve covers) - Engine Serial number: B625423 Drive: OB643927 Transom: OB671236 (these all came off the stickers on the engine, and there was NO digit in front of the B on the engine serial number.)
Original 4.3LX - Serial number OF361222 Drive: OF339779 Transom: OF339779
According to the research I have done, the 4.3 drive gear ratio is 1.81 and the gear ratio that would have been in a 350 drive would have been 1.47 and according to Iboat's page the boat should weigh approx 2800 lbs dry. That seems a little heavy to me though.
My questions are:
Did the Gen II Alpha 1s all use the same size (diameter) drive shafts, or will this drive hold together if I put a 23p or 25p Stiletto stainless prop on it?
How could I expect the boat to react with this setup? Other Baja 188s with the 350 and proper Alpha 1 drive run between 50 and 60 mph.
Logic tells me it shouldn't be too bad of a setup, provided the drive will hold up, as my other boat is a 1992 Starcraft 191 SS aluminum hull, 2000 lb. dry weight, 4.3 (non LX), Alpha 1 Gen II and it will run 50 without the wale tail, carrying me, my wife and two little ones with a 21p aluminum prop. I had a few cocktails one night and ordered a new stainless prop, I meant to buy a 19p Stiletto, but instead bought a 23p Stiletto that was on clearance and I couldn't return it.....:facepalm:. And yes, I learned that night to keep Captain Morgan OFF the internet.... Anyway, just for giggles I tried the prop on the old Starcraft and yep, lost a little speed and drastically lowered WOT RPM. So, doing a little quick math in my head it seems that factoring in the extra weight of the Baja, with a tired 350 (because we all know the water patrol drives em like they stole em...), and that 23p Stiletto that won't flatten out under the load, it could be okay if the pitch is right. What do you think?
Thank you in advance for your replies!!
Anyway, the boat has a 350 with a Alpha 1 Gen II drive. When I started looking it over real good, I noticed the numbers didn't add up. I called the previous owner (my interest was purely in the trailer when I bought it) and started asking questions. The boat originally came with a 4.3LX. That engine froze and cracked due to not being properly winterized around 2004 or 2005. They took out the 4.3 and dropped in a complete marine 350 out of a wrecked water patrol boat in front of the 4.3 drive.
They used the boat for three years like this with a 25 pitch aluminum prop then it was put into storage till I bought her. The owner said the boat would run about 40 mph like this but I imagine the prop was flattening out from the torque and weight of the boat. I downloaded the Mercruiser year identification pdf form from the sticky post in the top of this forum, but I couldn't make heads or tails of it. However, here are the numbers:
350 Mag, carbed engine (late 80s early 90s with centerbolt valve covers) - Engine Serial number: B625423 Drive: OB643927 Transom: OB671236 (these all came off the stickers on the engine, and there was NO digit in front of the B on the engine serial number.)
Original 4.3LX - Serial number OF361222 Drive: OF339779 Transom: OF339779
According to the research I have done, the 4.3 drive gear ratio is 1.81 and the gear ratio that would have been in a 350 drive would have been 1.47 and according to Iboat's page the boat should weigh approx 2800 lbs dry. That seems a little heavy to me though.
My questions are:
Did the Gen II Alpha 1s all use the same size (diameter) drive shafts, or will this drive hold together if I put a 23p or 25p Stiletto stainless prop on it?
How could I expect the boat to react with this setup? Other Baja 188s with the 350 and proper Alpha 1 drive run between 50 and 60 mph.
Logic tells me it shouldn't be too bad of a setup, provided the drive will hold up, as my other boat is a 1992 Starcraft 191 SS aluminum hull, 2000 lb. dry weight, 4.3 (non LX), Alpha 1 Gen II and it will run 50 without the wale tail, carrying me, my wife and two little ones with a 21p aluminum prop. I had a few cocktails one night and ordered a new stainless prop, I meant to buy a 19p Stiletto, but instead bought a 23p Stiletto that was on clearance and I couldn't return it.....:facepalm:. And yes, I learned that night to keep Captain Morgan OFF the internet....
Anyway, just for giggles I tried the prop on the old Starcraft and yep, lost a little speed and drastically lowered WOT RPM. So, doing a little quick math in my head it seems that factoring in the extra weight of the Baja, with a tired 350 (because we all know the water patrol drives em like they stole em...), and that 23p Stiletto that won't flatten out under the load, it could be okay if the pitch is right. What do you think?Thank you in advance for your replies!!
