1973 888

[mrflip2]

Hello everyone
hope you can help me
I have a 73 888 that i want to remove and replace with a 233 (351) As these are both smallblock fords the engine should be plug and play but my question is the outdrives. The 888 has a gear ratio of 1.5 and the 233 has a gear ratio of 1.72. I removed the 351 from a 77 searay with 350 hrs on it with the outdrive so should i keep the 1.72-1 ratio or the 1.5. I'm looking for a good holeshot so my wife can get me all 240lbs up on a slalom ski. Yet i am looking for a top end of about 45mph. The 888 did approx that but no holeshot with a 17 pitch prop Thanks Phil

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 1973 888

I have never heard of a 1:72 ratio......
A 351 would need a 1:50 ratio, possibly a 1:32 would work....
With a 1:50 & a 351, I would think it would leap out of the water....
Playing with pitch will either increase hole shot or top end, not both....
17 for the hole shot, 21 for top end.....
I'd still look for that 3900-4300 wot......​

 

[qaztwo]

Re: 1973 888

1:32 is correct good luck finding it I believe was also used on 454. I run a fresh 233 and a 1:50 with a 23inch stainless top at 60mph so 21 would be a good start for you.

 

[mrflip2]

Re: 1973 888

Thanks for the answers. so I'll stick with the 888 outdrive.

 

[mkast]

Re: 1973 888

There is a place in Eldorado, Wisconsin called Riggs Marine that bought Mercruiser out of the 1.32 gears. They have bunches of them.