88 Chris Craft Amero 250 w/454???

[FirstAttempt]

ill try to make this short.

Ive got an 88 Chris Craft Amerosport 250. I got a great deal on Craigslist last summer and its been my fun side project.

There is a lot to tackle:

Alpha 1 Gen1 with an after market 454 installed. Engine runs good, Compresion, spark, eltric fuel pump etc.....Although ive never run it in water just with the garden hose.

I am fimiliar with the problems pairring 454's with alpha'. Aswell as 1.32 ratios that were used in 87 and 88 during merc's attempt.

All things said i am an amature that jumped in way over his head.

My question is i need to identify the HP rating of the engine. If it is the "alpha" 454 magnum rated at 330hp then i may possible get away with an Alpha 1 with a light right hand. However if the motor is rated at 330+ ive got a real problem.

Thanks for reading
any input would be welcome,plz aks q's if i didnt clarify very well, ive been restoring it for about a year now and there is a ton im leaving out

 

[Bondo]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

My question is i need to identify the HP rating of the engine.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... What's the motor's Serial #s,..??

 

[FirstAttempt]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

I dont know to much other than it came out of a car or truck, althouhg i dont know if its been rebuilt or anything.........

the only numbers i can make out are the casting numbers on the block down on the back near the coupler.

GM T14 on one side and the other 361959P im going to post pic here is a sec

i searched online and found out its a gm big block, built between 73-76, the "p" is for passenger aparently??

I think its 250hp? and max torque of 390lb-ft ishhh?, but there were may variants listed.

A am worried about the the original Alpha one gen1

 

[Bondo]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

A am worried about the the original Alpha one gen1

Ayuh,... Brand new SEI replacements are 'bout $1,500.....
Run it, when it Blows, throw on an SEI...

The motor's got some Merc dressings, 'n some other stuff...
Donno 'bout that HEI distributor being Marine grade, nor the Rochester...
Ditto whatever the starter is...

 

[FirstAttempt]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Thats where im at too.
unless i can find some one with a 350 that can do the swap work as payment for the BB.
thank you for the input.
If i baby it how did you think the SEI will handle, maybe get a season or two?

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

I would make sure you have marine accessories, and run it til the outdrive blows up. Then maybe look for an alternative, or like already mentioned, throw an SEI on it and take it easy. I bet being easy on it you will get more than two seasons. I had an Alpha behind my 350 in my other boat and it lasted over 10 years and was still going strong when I sold it. AND I wasnt exactly easy on it.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Oh and almost forgot, my buddy has an Alpha behind his 454 in a 270 Sea Ray, and its doing just fine after 14 years if I remember the year correctly.

 

[FirstAttempt]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Oh, Great that sounds better than i actually anticipated, very cool. Its still needs new bellows and a gimbal bearring so when i finish that up i think im going to slap on an SEI.....ive been looking and they do not offer an Alpha1 Drive in the 1.32:1 ratio that i was hoping for. Considering should i get the lowest ratio that SEI offers in the Alpha?? The lowest Gear ratio offered on the SEI web site was 1.47 i believe.

 

[FirstAttempt]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

I would make sure you have marine accessories, and run it til the outdrive blows up. Then maybe look for an alternative, or like already mentioned, throw an SEI on it and take it easy. I bet being easy on it you will get more than two seasons. I had an Alpha behind my 350 in my other boat and it lasted over 10 years and was still going strong when I sold it. AND I wasnt exactly easy on it.

sorry for my ignorance, but when you say accessories im assuming that you mean, distributor, starter, ignition maybe??
Is it possible for someone knows boats better to tell me if they are just by looking, or will i need to be removing everything and inspecting it??

 

[FirstAttempt]

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Re: 88 ChrisCraft Amero, Alpha 1 with a 454??

Donno 'bout that HEI distributor being Marine grade, nor the Rochester...
Ditto whatever the starter is...

Whats the rochester....?? the Carb?? sorry