What do I really have? alpha 1, 2 or how can i tell? Is my engine a marine engine?

[westicals]

So I have a 79 Starfire Santa Cruz 212 with the hard top. Its a little worse for wear but im attempting my first ever boat restoration. I have a MerCruiser 228 engine and the out drive is tagged the same way. To order parts they list as alpha, bravo so on and so on... how can I tell what it really is? Also my second, and probably dumb question, is that if I have MerCooling Fresh Water cooling engine actually a marine engine and for replacement purposes does it need to be a marine engine? Im not sure exactly how the heat exchanger works or the outdrive for that matter but does raw water actually enter my engine anywhere? Is there that big of concern for electrolysis and corrosion? Again, this is my first BOAT restoration, so bare with me and thanks for taking the time to help!

 

[Don S]

Re: What do I really have? alpha 1, 2 or how can i tell? Is my engine a marine engine

You should probably take a visit to the stickies at the top of this forum. Lots of pictures and ID information just waiting for people to look at.

When you get to the stickies, look at item #10

 

[achris]

Re: What do I really have? alpha 1, 2 or how can i tell? Is my engine a marine engine

If the engine and drive are the same vintage as the hull, then the drive is an MC-1 (Mercruiser 1 drive). The engine is a GM 305 SBC. The fresh-water cooling kit on it is a factory option, and the way it works is the engine has coolant in the block, heads, and manifolds (both intake and exhaust). Seawater is pumped into one end of the heat exchanger and out the other then through the exhaust elbows and out through the exhaust system as per normal.