Anyone Beefed up a Merc Type1 drive?

[searayclassicglass]

Hey:<br />I'm adding more power to my 351 Ford (I know, it's not a Chevy, but it would cost too much to refit) during a rebluild. <br /><br />I need to strengthen the Type1 drive, specifically a Merc 233, 1976. I've talked with a couple of outdrive rebuilders and they said all I would have to do is bolt on a Alpha1 lower and that would make me good to 300hp. I'm thinking of taking the engine up to 280 just to give me some safety.<br /><br />Has anyone done this.....Thoughts...different recommendations??<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Kris

 

[Bondo]

Re: Anyone Beefed up a Merc Type1 drive?

That's an Easy Swap......<br />You Could Swap out the Whole Outdrive to an Alpha1......Just use the Mod.1 Input Shaft, It's a little Shorter......<br />If you Don't go out and Beat the Snot out of it,.. Your Mod.1 will take your 280hp All Day Long........<br />It Came with 260hp........

 

[searayclassicglass]

Re: Anyone Beefed up a Merc Type1 drive?

Thanks, Bondo:<br />I really cant afford the whole Alpha 1 unit right now. I was told that the lower would suffice for now; that at least would give me a different gear set. The question is if the old shaft, u-joint, etc would handle the added power. <br /><br />Any thoughts on that one? I know you mentioned the new shaft design from the Alpha. What about changing the lower now and adding the upper later. Wonder if the upper would handle the power for at least a season. My Sea Ray isnt a boat that I would be jumping wakes in! She has a really deep V and pushes a lot of water. I'm hoping that I can get up to a 30knot cruise our maybe only WOT with the added HP.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Anyone Beefed up a Merc Type1 drive?

A Fresh Mod.1 Will handle your Power...<br />The Differences between these 2 drives, is More about How they are put together, Rather than if 1 is Stronger than the other....<br />Mod.1s,+ Alpha1s Share the Same Gears, Bearings, Clutch-Dogs,+ some Shafts.......<br />You can change it All at Once, Or 1 Piece at a Time.... The Choice is yours....<br />The point I'm trying to make is, The Mod.1 Will Handle All the Power You're going to throw at it...........<br />Both Drives will Handle 300HP......<br /><br /> "The question is if the old shaft, u-joint, etc would handle the added power." <br />It's the Same Exact U-joints, etc.. The Input Shaft is the Same Strength, JUST an Inch Shorter.... That's because the Mod.1 Transom assembley is Also 1" Shorter..... The Upper Gears are the Exact Same Gears as the Alpha1....