Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

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jhay77

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Hi Everyone, I have an issue with a boat that I bought and am looking for some advice... The boat has a 1976 Merc. 888 with 188hp Ford 302 v8. I bought it as a project, knowing that the prior owner had started to replace the motor, but never finished. I now realize that the motor he replaced it with appears to be a newer one and the crankshaft pulley doesn't line up with the alternator/water pump.... In addition, the alternator bracket interferes with the riser on the drivers side.... Does anyone have any knowledge of old ford v8's? Thanks in advance..
 
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JasonB

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

Do you have a pic of what you have to work with? A newer motor shouldn't be a bad thing, but it almost sounds like someone dropped in a used auto engine. All the Ford/Mecruisers I have seen use the same simple pully set-up. You would just need the proper pullies and bracket. I would check that engine very carefully to make sure the electric parts (alt, starter, etc), and fuel components are marine.

Here's a pic of mine (link to slightly larger image below as well:

Link to larger Version: http://www.kimandjason.net/webpics/elbeng1.jpg
 

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jhay77

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

Thanks for the info, I'll work on getting a pic. There is almost certainly a car/truck motor in this boat... The guy never finished bolting all the accessories back on, though. The accessories are marine (starter, alternator, etc) but I think the crank shaft sticks out further (must have been set up for a crank sensor or something) than the old one. I am just trying to find a way to finish mounting the accessories. I think I may have to purchase a long nosed water pump and make spacers for the alternator brackets.
 
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JasonB

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

I didn't think the cranks came in longer length, but mine is the only one I really have any hands on with. I do know they made different pulleys though. Are the pulleys you have the original Mercs, or from elsewhere?

Don't know that you can get a long nose marine water pump. The Ford Windsors came in very few configurations for marine use.

I know the iBoats member Boomyal dropped a 199X 302 (minus the EFI) out of an Explorer in his OMC driven boat. Don't think he had any major issues, but its been a while.
 
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Boomyal

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

JasonB said:
I know the iBoats member Boomyal dropped a 199X 302 (minus the EFI) out of an Explorer in his OMC driven boat. Don't think he had any major issues, but its been a while.
Click to expand...

Actually Jason it was a 2001 Explorer 5.0 roller cam (302). And you are correct re crank length. they are all the same. The differences are, #1, you need to make sure it has the correct damper for the motor. Earlier 302's used the 28 oz balance damper, along with the 28 oz flywheel. Later 5.0's used the 50 oz balance damper and flywheel. As mine was the later model, I had to get a special damper that had the config of the earlier motor and the balance of the later motor.

There were scads of different pully options, both crank and water pump. Also, if his motor was set up for a gilmer belt, the pump rotation would be opposite what is necessary. I'm not sure about the snout length on the gilmer driven waterpump but as far as I know, all of the non gilmer pumps have the same snout dimensions.
 
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JasonB

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

I was at least in the ballpark Boom :)

I figured you'd find this thread shortly. There aren't many of us Ford guys left.
 
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ksherb

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

Sorry to bring this old thread back to life, but it looked like the closest thing going to my question. I have a 76 Merc 888 with a Ford 302. Needs a water pump. Can I get an automotive (top of the line is $111), or do I need to get Merc/Quicksilver aftermarket (lowest I have found so far is $234). Guy at the shop said the automotive wouldn't last, but I am pretty sure he is at least a little biased.
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes


Unless your engine is has closed cooling the answer is no.......;)​
 
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ksherb

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes

thanks. is it a capacity issue? got to justify the money to myself somehow. former owner (current neighbor) is telling me I am an idiot for using marine.
 
Haut Medoc

Haut Medoc

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Re: Mercruiser 188 Ford 302 Woes


No, it is a bearing & seal thing.....
You might be able to get away with it if you only boat fresh water....
You will get a good twenty minutes out of it in salt water.....
I would look on ebay for a better price on marine pumps.....
I'd spend the extra money & replace it again 30 years from now....
But that's just me......:)​
 
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