Mercruiser 228 and outdrive

[pmp1986]

Hi,
Yesterday one of clients came with a "beautiful piece of history" which is 228 Mercruiser serial 5552821. I really don't know where did he get it in our city
Risers, exhaust manifolds were taken from 5.0 Mercruiser 91 year (so water cooling system now looks like a little bit modern, but not sure whether it's good solution).
But the main question is what type of outdrive could be used with this engine: Alpha one or Alpha one (gen 2). Will they be suitable or not? Based on first viewing nothing is diffent, but...

Thanks in advance

 

[alldodge]

I think you can use the Gen 1 or 2 so long as it has a 14 1/2 inch flywheel and uses the newer coupler. The older models used a different coupler and drive shaft.

Maybe Bondo or achris can advise

 

[achris]

That serial number makes it a 1980 engine, and as such has the older engine flywheel cover and sits on the wider transom plate. Original drive would have been a 1.5:1 MC-1. Compatible replacements are R, MR and Alpha One. If it's in an average size boat for a V8 (19 to 24 foot) then that ratio works well. Put it in a larger boat, say 25+ feet, and I would be putting a 1.65:1 or even a 1.84:1 drive.

Alpha One Gen II drive will not go on.

Chris........

 

[pmp1986]

This story starting to be a little bit more complicated.

Originally boat is 2000 year manufacture, Engine that it'd was damaged and utilized. Noone know what was that engine.
Transom plate has following number: 0L298673.

Client decided to put engine 228 Merc 5552821. With alpha one gen. 1.

And some mechanics were able to put it on that transom.

Then he realized that smth. is wrong (no reverse or forward, can't attached hydrocylinders after installation). And bought another alpha OD656924 and now ask
to make then work together: Merc 228 + transom 0L298673 (for gen 2 as i understand) + alpha OD656924 (gen 2),

Is it possible anyway or is it a dream and it's easier to get another engine?

 

[achris]

....Is it possible anyway or is it a dream and it's easier to get another engine?

If I was in Vladivostok, I could probably make it work for you, but without seeing EXACTLY what you have, and have not, it will be difficult. There should be a way of putting the main part of 228 engine with Gen II flywheel cover to the inner transom plate, using the original engines' exhaust manifolds (and elbows) and connecting all controls to make a Gen II drive work.

Engines after 1982 will fit straight onto a Gen II inner transom plate and a Gen II drive will work immediately. Making an engine from before 1982 work is a little more difficult, but still possible.

How was original engine damaged? And how much of it do you still have?

Chris......

 

[pmp1986]

It's overheated and previous owner sold boat without it and outdrive. Also it's efi one.
So when boat came to new owner there was only transom.
I'll make pics tomorrow of what we have today and also make some experiments with installation.

 

[achris]

...previous owner sold boat without it and outdrive. .....

That is going to make it very difficult. You will be needing many new parts to make the older 228 engine fit to the newer Gen II inner transom plate....
If you could find another V8 engine (5 litre or 5.7 litre) for not very much money, that has been damaged (maybe cracked by freezing) that is 1983 or later, you can use the parts from that.

Chris.......