Mercruiser outdrives

[martyh]

I went to look at an old (mid 70?s) Sea Ray 24? weekender for my brother today. It is ford powered (probably 302) and based on the transome bracket (it was still there) it had the mercruiser outdrive.

My question is this, with the outdrive, gimble assembly and engine bell housing missing, what would the options be to put that back together?

Are the transom mounting holes the same between the different generations and is the Gen II setup better than the Gen I or pre alpha?s?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser outdrives

Are the transom mounting holes the same between the different generations and is the Gen II setup better than the Gen I or pre alpha?s?

Ayuh,... The Hole is the same,... BUT,....
With the Ford power,... ONLY the old Model 1 drive will work...
There are No motor flywheel covers for Fords that fit Any of the other Mercruiser drives...

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Mercruiser outdrives

Cant he mix and match parts like newer alpha 1 and the older transom assembly and bellhousing.

 

[martyh]

Re: Mercruiser outdrives

Ayuh,... The Hole is the same,... BUT,....
With the Ford power,... ONLY the old Model 1 drive will work...
There are No motor flywheel covers for Fords that fit Any of the other Mercruiser drives...

When you say the old model 1 drives, are you referring to the Alpha Gen I?s or the pre alpha drives?

Are the newer drives any better than the older versions or did they have there own set of problems too?

I?m not against swapping out the ford engine for a GM since the engine has to be installed anyway, I would just like to make a nice drive package.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser outdrives

When you say the old model 1 drives, are you referring to the Alpha Gen I?s or the pre alpha drives?

Ayuh,... The Model 1 is but 1 of the Pre-Alpha drives....

Like I said,... Keep Looking til you find the Driveline Package you Want....

 

[martyh]

Re: Mercruiser outdrives

Hey Bond-o

I am just curious about something. What is the limiting factor or part that keeps the newer drives from attaching to the older ford engines? I found the ford flywheel cover and I realize that the bolt pattern for the back side of the engine is different but the holes that mount it to the transom plate look similar (in pictures) to the others.

Is it the splined engine hub that keeps it from attaching to the newer drives or is the engine mounting bracket that much different?

 

[jtybt]

Re: Mercruiser outdrives

I have a '78 240 weekender with 350 and MR/alpha drive. A buddy has the '76 240 cuddy with 351 (GREAT ENGINE).

You may get lucky. Some of the early bell housings had BOTH GM and Ford mounting holes on them...but I'd stick with the ford unless it needs rebuild, then the 350 is cheaper to rebuild or buy.

Outer transom assembly are the same. Never checked but the inner transom assembly/rear mounting bracket for Ford may be different but logic tells me, if they had interchangable bell housings at one time...unless they changed all Ford and GM's, they should line up. Front motor mount position may be different. Things you have to check into when doing major swaps.


Word of caution, them weekenders had carpet in the cockpit which held water and promoted rot of the decking. They also had problems of wet and rotted transoms and stringers. I know, I had to replace ALL the wood from the transom to the cuddy doors.