888/233 Out Drives

[orttauq]

Boat is a 1976 American Boat Company Eagle. HIN says it was delivered with a 351W-233 Mercruiser. At 47 years old the motor and drive have for sure been removed and/or changed.
It now has an aftermarket Edlebrock intake manifold that is stamped Performer 351W, I have installed a new Edlebrock Marine carb and new Pertronix dist. Current outdrive says it is an 888. Runs WOT a little over 5k RPM at just about 50 MPH per SOG/GPS. Is this a bad combination?
Should I try to find a 233 drive? I can't find clear info on the ratios for the 888 and 233.

Thanks for your input/help

 

[flashback]

I'd be pretty happy!

 

[orttauq]

Right, me too but then don't want to blow things up. somewhere on here I read 4200 should be max for the 351W.

 

[flashback]

You don't have to peg it all the time, save it for when you really need it

 

[flashback]

If you decide to up the pitch on the prop just be sure of the RPM your getting...

 

[Bondo]

It now has an aftermarket Edlebrock intake manifold that is stamped Performer 351W, I have installed a new Edlebrock Marine carb and new Pertronix dist. Current outdrive says it is an 888. Runs WOT a little over 5k RPM at just about 50 MPH per SOG/GPS. Is this a bad combination?
Should I try to find a 233 drive? I can't find clear info on the ratios for the 888 and 233.

Thanks for your input/help

Ayuh,...... What pitch is the prop,..??
Go up in pitch, to bring the Wot rpms down to a True, 4600 / 4800 rpms,.... in other words, verify the tach,....
The 888 is a 1.50:1 ratio, 'n the 233 was a 1.32:1 ratio,....
I say was, because that ratio hasn't been available for decades,...

 

[orttauq]

I don't know the pitch and can't find it marked on the prop.
Tach and all wiring is new so I trust it to be pretty close.
Where is the ratio set in the drive? at the top bevel gears or the lower? My lower unit is in rough shape and I have a line on a replacement but the sell know nothing about it.

 

[Bondo]

I don't know the pitch and can't find it marked on the prop.
Tach and all wiring is new so I trust it to be pretty close.
Where is the ratio set in the drive? at the top bevel gears or the lower? My lower unit is in rough shape and I have a line on a replacement but the sell know nothing about it.

Ayuh,.... The upper,......

Did you look under the prop nut for the pitch,..??

 

[orttauq]

OK so if I do replace the lower case I will still have the 1.50....good.
Thanks, pitch is clearly on the side on my other boat so did not look under nut. It is a Michigan Wheel 14.5x17.

 

[orttauq]

Is $200 reasonable for this?

 

[Scott06]

Right, me too but then don't want to blow things up. somewhere on here I read 4200 should be max for the 351W.

I would think it could go higher especially if it has been rebuilt.

 

[flashback]

Looks good on the outside heck it still has a complete fin!

 

[orttauq]

With these numbers it matches what I am getting.

 

[flashback]

You didn't enter any prop slip, heck they all slip some...

 

[orttauq]

no but have no idea what to enter....anything is swag on my part.

 

[flashback]

Looks like all you really need to do is verify the RPMs..if 5k is accurate you can go 19p on the prop..