Mercruiser Engine Year?

[jmw129]

Hey Guys,

I have a boat I bought in the fall that is 1985. Now the question is I think the engine is stock but I'm having a difficult time getting a clear answer on what I have year wise with this engine. 50 / 50 chance this engine isn't stock.

The model is MCM 230 on the valve cover and the serial number on the valve cover & block both say 6899547?

Is this engine a 1981 to 1986 GM 305 (230hp)?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Engine Year?

Hey Guys,

I have a boat I bought in the fall that is 1985. Now the question is I think the engine is stock but I'm having a difficult time getting a clear answer on what I have year wise with this engine. 50 / 50 chance this engine isn't stock.

The model is MCM 230 on the valve cover and the serial number on the valve cover & block both say 6899547?

Is this engine a 1981 to 1986 GM 305 (230hp)?

Ayuh,.... It should be a 305, 4bbl carb, Yes...

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser Engine Year?

...The model is MCM 230 on the valve cover and the serial number on the valve cover & block both say 6899547?

Is this engine a 1981 to 1986 GM 305 (230hp)?

Model # 02301345 = 1985, 230hp Sterndrive engine

Answer to question - Yes....

 

[jmw129]

Re: Mercruiser Engine Year?

Model # 02301345 = 1985, 230hp Sterndrive engine

Answer to question - Yes....

Amen. The guy who sold it to me was under the impression this engine may have been a 350 but wasn't sure. I think he was playing dumb.

Another question I have is if I wanted to put a 350 in down the road, the out drive gear ratio is 1.50 and I see the gear ratio out drive for 350 application is 1.87 so would the 1.50 gear ratio out drive work as intended? or have serious negatives?

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser Engine Year?

Amen. The guy who sold it to me was under the impression this engine may have been a 350 but wasn't sure. I think he was playing dumb.

Who said he was playing?

Another question I have is if I wanted to put a 350 in down the road, the out drive gear ratio is 1.50 and I see the gear ratio out drive for 350 application is 1.87 so would the 1.50 gear ratio out drive work as intended? or have serious negatives?

Don't know where you got that from, but it's just plain WRONG!!! Correct ratio for a 350 is 1.50:1, same as the 305....

Chris........

 

[jmw129]

Re: Mercruiser Engine Year?

Who said he was playing?



Don't know where you got that from, but it's just plain WRONG!!! Correct ratio for a 350 is 1.50:1, same as the 305....

Chris........

Thanks for the helpful input Chris & Master Ship Wright!

I remember seeing a comment by some one online talking about how the 350 had a different out drive ratio from the 305. I originally thought the 305 & 350 were the same but this is my first Merc V8 so I needed a trust worthy 2nd opion.

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser Engine Year?

Download this -> http://www.4shared.com/document/TcRI4n4z/MCM_Model_year_SN_range.html
Go to the 8th page. It have a list of the engines made and the 'standard' ratio fitted to them from factory. You'll see '228' and 5.0L have 1.50:1 and the '260' and 5.7L also have 1.50:1.

There are reasons to fit different ratios, like high attitude (needs a higher reduction) or big engine into a relatively small boat (less reduction), but usually the ratio fitted from factory is the 'right' one.

Chris.......
(By the way, this is an official Mercury document, it's from the technician's handbook. The one we're given when we go to Merc school. ) Oh, one more thing, there was never a 1.87:1 ratio.