upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

[Fishermark]

I currently have the old Mercruiser trim system on the boat I am working on - 1972 Sea Ray. It has the separate reverse lock out mechanism. (It's pictured below). The outdrive is a model 1. (I believe - I know it predates the Alpha, and has the eye hook in the top).

If I decide to replace the trim pump, does anyone know if it is possible to replace the pump with a later model one that has the reverse lock out built in? (The I can do away with the separate pieces)

If so, can I keep my old, small diameter rams? Or do I need to replace them as well?

 

[Bondo]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Ayuh,.......

It's a pretty simple Swap,.......

Get yourself 1 of the newer trim pumps,.. Preferably 1 with the Plastic Tank.....

Then trash Everything forward from the little Hyd. Manifold mounted up under the bottom of the drive,......
Then drop in the New Pump,+ It's Lines........

Btw,......
No Reason to swap the rams,..... The 1" piston rams work just Fine with the new pumps......

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Hey Mark i'm looking for that trim sender you got there if you upgrade let me know please. Mine was missing when i got my boat. Thanks trade ya a carb or something or buy it.

 

[achris]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Hey Mark i'm looking for that trim sender you got there if you upgrade let me know please. Mine was missing when i got my boat. Thanks trade ya a carb or something or buy it.

He is going to need to keep the sender and its ram if he wants the trim gauge to work.

You know what scares me in that picture? I can see the yoke from the drive still in place!!! Means someone pulled the engine without removing the drive... Bad idea!!! 'Cause that's how couplers get damaged...

Chris......

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Yeah I saw that also,huh. Maybe they stuck the drive back on there after.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Chris
what scares me? the whole thing. gives me nightmares someone is gonna show up at the shop with one

 

[Don S]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Chris
what scares me? the whole thing. gives me nightmares someone is gonna show up at the shop with one

Just had a nightmare show up today. Won't start. 888 replaced with a 351.
Engine coverd with salt water corrosion, rusty pulleys, one large rust glob actually had a V-belt going to it and some wire coming out of it!
Big globs of corrosion where the pivot pins for the drive bellhousing are supposed to be. Choke, throttle plates shaft, and accelerator pump won't move (automotive carb [surprise surprise]) Drive won't go down unless you bounce up and down on the drive while the trim motor runs. Can't turn the steering wheel or move the throttle or shifter.
Lost key to ignition. Used test harness (no spark) pulled cap. Rusty inside rotor broken, distributor center button missing. Weights froze up (no advance). Distributor frozen into block. Looked at NLA shift plate on back of engine. The socket the lower shift cable sits in is rotted away, no way to hold the cable in. Of course the old cable is held in by corrosion, but the cable won't move either.
Customer says it ran fine last year ????? and has little money for boat repairs.
Waiting his call. He can't afford that boat.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

That's too funny guys!

Don - I'm surprised you and the shop you work at will even look at older boats. The local marina wouldn't touch mine. (I wonder why? )

Regarding the outdrive - Yes, I stuck the outdrive back on just to get it out of my way in my workshop - I will take it off before attempting to install the engine.

This is a project boat my dad bought. He called me up to say he was considering it - when he told me about it, I told him, and I quote: "Even a free boat is going to cost a lot of money." Yep. He bought it anyway.

What can I say? It's been fun to work on and gives me something to do. The engine is ready to drop in - as soon as I decide what we are going to do with the trim system.

Actually, having said all of that, he won't have much money in the thing - just a LOT of labor - mine. - which I'm glad to do. The hull is in great shape. Very solid, transom is solid - gelcoat is like new. Should make him a nice boat when we are done.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Bondo - I see where Mercruiser has high pressure, low volume pumps (which I believe I have), and low pressure, high volume pumps. Will the low pressure, high volume pumps work.... or do I need to stick with the high pressure pumps?

I've seen the ones with the plastic tanks in both versions.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Will this one work?

This is made by the same company that makes the outdrive I have on my personal boat - Sterndrive Engineering. It replaces Mercruiser #865380A25, which I believe is the low pressure, high volume variety. This is the pump I would like to use. (The price is right - depending upon where you buy it, only $280 or so brand new)

 

[Fishermark]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Just a quick update - for anyone else contemplating this in the future. I asked the tech at Sterndrive Engineering and he said the pump would work with my rams. The hoses to the pump are different, and as mentioned above, the trim indicator will be lost, but the actual hydraulics will work fine with the smaller rams.

 

[Bondo]

Re: upgrade /swap trim system - Mercruiser

Ayuh,......

Glad to hear you've got it figured out,......

My Best possible response to your Question above is/ was,.......

Don't Know,..... The Pump I grabbed Worked,... But don't know whether it's High-pressure or Low-Pressure...