Re: 1980 Sea Ray 210 CC - W/454?? question...
An 898 is an engine. 305 Chevy. If you are referring to the outdrive that says 898 on the decal, then it's the Mercruiser one drive. Old version of the Alpha I (aka pre Alpha)
They are good for 300 hp, and searay/Mercrusier did use the 454 with the alpha drives for a few years, until the Bravo was invented, or why the Bravo was invented.
If you run the boat reasonably, it should last. But will not stand up the full throttle starts and lots of heavy loads.
The gear ratio is also wrong, which makes it even harder on the one drive because you have so much more pitch in a 454 prop in order to keep the WOT rpm in the proper range. The 898 uses a 1.50, the 454 needs a 1.32 ratio.
Well, that answers some questions! LOL I guess my next option is re-powering with a 350, and probably assuming that the outdrive is toasted. Is there apossibility of switching to an Alpha-One without too much hacking?
