mercruiser outdrive question

[seafever]

guys next question:
My Antigua 18T has a merc 888 188 hp ford 302 with problems.
I bought another engine (Used HOPE it is good) and it came with a drive unit
BUT this other unit says it is a 165????
Is there a difference in rotation or gear ratio or drive shaft spline count etc or is this the same thing?
Sea Fever

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser outdrive question

guys next question:
My Antigua 18T has a merc 888 188 hp ford 302 with problems.
I bought another engine (Used HOPE it is good) and it came with a drive unit
BUT this other unit says it is a 165????
Is there a difference in rotation or gear ratio or drive shaft spline count etc or is this the same thing?
Sea Fever

Ayuh,.... A drive marked 165, is probably a MC-1 drive, 'n if so, it coulda been on a 165, I6, Chevy, or a 470,...

IF it's an MC-1, from an I6, the input shaft will be 'bout an inch shorter, 'n probably a 1.84:1 gear ratio, or possibly a 1.65:1 ratio,...

IF it's an Alpha 1 drive, it no doubt came off a 470, as the I6 was gone when the Alpha debuted,...
if so, it'll be the 1.84:1 gear ratio,...

Neither of 'em are suitable for a V8 motor, due to the lower gear ratios,...

 

[seafever]

Re: mercruiser outdrive question

umyup!!! I was afraid of that, so how does one tell which drive is which? Maybe I have a good drive for sale - - and maybe a 302 V-8 mercury marine for parts - it seems you cant hardly buy a 302 anymore except a crate engine.

 

[dan t.]

Re: mercruiser outdrive question

Actually a 1.65 ratio is just fine for a 302, Merc used it with the 305 chev and it worked just fine. I am using a 1.65 ratio Alpha 1 gen II with a 350 (conversion) just propped up to a 19 from a 16, works great.