1978 Mercruiser 228 Sterndrive help

[Wackybily311]

Hello all!

First post here so I am excited to be a part of the group.

I own a 1978 Wellcraft 196 sun hatch with a Mercruiser 228 original sterndrive but new chevy 350 I swapped into it. Engine runs great but I had an issue with dry rotted bellows and saltwater getting in to the sterndrive (I believe this is called and MC-1 because it is original) from the upper unit where the shaft goes into the top of the stern drive. The unit seized up after sitting for two to three months and I opened the cap and sure enough the bearing right there on top was rusted.

I am confident I could rebuild this unit I am just not sure of what parts to buy because there's not much online to be found as far as parts lists go and even the manual I have doesn't have part numbers.

Could someone tell me where to buy a COMPLETE rebuild kit for this unit or.... can I just buy a rebuilt alpha (or other model) and bolt it up? if so which models can I buy that will be "plug and play"?


Thanks everyone I appreciate the help

 

[Chris1956]

SEI (Sterndrive Engineering) makes Alpha drive replacements however, I do not know the compatibility with your transom plate.

 

[Scott06]

Hello all!

First post here so I am excited to be a part of the group.

I own a 1978 Wellcraft 196 sun hatch with a Mercruiser 228 original sterndrive but new chevy 350 I swapped into it. Engine runs great but I had an issue with dry rotted bellows and saltwater getting in to the sterndrive (I believe this is called and MC-1 because it is original) from the upper unit where the shaft goes into the top of the stern drive. The unit seized up after sitting for two to three months and I opened the cap and sure enough the bearing right there on top was rusted.

I am confident I could rebuild this unit I am just not sure of what parts to buy because there's not much online to be found as far as parts lists go and even the manual I have doesn't have part numbers.

Could someone tell me where to buy a COMPLETE rebuild kit for this unit or.... can I just buy a rebuilt alpha (or other model) and bolt it up? if so which models can I buy that will be "plug and play"?


Thanks everyone I appreciate the help

First get the correct factory service manuals for you engine end drive

you can find parts here https://www.marineengine.com/parts/mercruiser-sterndrive-parts/

drives are at bottom of page.

if you google it there are places like sterndrive engineering that sell kits. Or can assemble a kit of parts. The issue with rebuilding it is the specialized tools needed and their cost . These are just mechanics tools like pullers rolling torque setting torque wrench, but merc specific tools. I think a complete tool set is over $1300.

becusse of that a lot of folks with older boats will just get a new stern drive engineering drive and bolt it on. the later alpha gen one is a bolt in replacement for your MC1 and would be my recommendation here

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
As others mentioned, just get a new SEI drive, as 1.47 ratio.

It most likely can be rebuilt but its not just the cost for parts, its also the cost of the special tools you will need.

The boat being a 1978 and in salt, do look at the transom real close, there may be some rot

 

[Wackybily311]

First get the correct factory service manuals for you engine end drive

you can find parts here https://www.marineengine.com/parts/mercruiser-sterndrive-parts/

drives are at bottom of page.

if you google it there are places like sterndrive engineering that sell kits. Or can assemble a kit of parts. The issue with rebuilding it is the specialized tools needed and their cost . These are just mechanics tools like pullers rolling torque setting torque wrench, but merc specific tools. I think a complete tool set is over $1300.

becusse of that a lot of folks with older boats will just get a new stern drive engineering drive and bolt it on. the later alpha gen one is a bolt in replacement for your MC1 and would be my recommendation here

Looks like I will be buying an Sterndrive Engineering unit with new bellows and gimbal bearing.

I see that the alpha 1 have an oil fill tube that connects to a reservoir which the MC-1 does not have. If this port is blocked off for the new SEI sterndrive will it still function just fine?

 

[Wackybily311]

Welcome
As others mentioned, just get a new SEI drive, as 1.47 ratio.

It most likely can be rebuilt but its not just the cost for parts, its also the cost of the special tools you will need.

The boat being a 1978 and in salt, do look at the transom real close, there may be some rot

Looks like I will be buying an Sterndrive Engineering unit with new bellows and gimbal bearing.

SE106 1.47 Complete (Replaces Mercruiser's Alpha One)

Check out the deal on SE106 1.47 Complete (Replaces Mercruiser's Alpha One) at Sterndrive Engineering

www.sterndrive.cc

This is the one in my cart.

I see that the alpha 1 have an oil fill tube on the bell housing that connects to a reservoir which the MC-1 does not have. If this port is blocked off by my existing bell housing for the new SEI sterndrive will it still function just fine?

 

[Scott06]

Looks like I will be buying an Sterndrive Engineering unit with new bellows and gimbal bearing.

I see that the alpha 1 have an oil fill tube that connects to a reservoir which the MC-1 does not have. If this port is blocked off for the new SEI sterndrive will it still function just fine?

The alpha one gen one does not have an oil reservoir like the alpha one gen two has . Make sure you are looking at buying alpha gen one drive

 

[Wackybily311]

The alpha one gen one does not have an oil reservoir like the alpha one gen two has . Make sure you are looking at buying alpha gen one drive

I ordered the drive that I linked in one of my previous posts on this thread. I really appreciate the help!

 

[ROY WILLIAMS]

Hello all!

First post here so I am excited to be a part of the group.

I own a 1978 Wellcraft 196 sun hatch with a Mercruiser 228 original sterndrive but new chevy 350 I swapped into it. Engine runs great but I had an issue with dry rotted bellows and saltwater getting in to the sterndrive (I believe this is called and MC-1 because it is original) from the upper unit where the shaft goes into the top of the stern drive. The unit seized up after sitting for two to three months and I opened the cap and sure enough the bearing right there on top was rusted.

I am confident I could rebuild this unit I am just not sure of what parts to buy because there's not much online to be found as far as parts lists go and even the manual I have doesn't have part numbers.

Could someone tell me where to buy a COMPLETE rebuild kit for this unit or.... can I just buy a rebuilt alpha (or other model) and bolt it up? if so which models can I buy that will be "plug and play"?


Thanks everyone I appreciate the help

ROY WILLIAMS The 1978 WELLCRAFT 20 FT / ENGINE 470 MCM. 4 CYL. MERCRUISER 170HP.
41 YEARS AGO, 1984-2025 ...MANUAL MERCRUISER 2 BOOKS.