Alpha I, MR, are they the same?

[capercanuck]

Is the Alpha I and "MR" series mercruiser outdrive the same thing?

 

[Trent]

Re: Alpha I, MR, are they the same?

Housings are the same...Some of the insides are different.<br /><br /> web page

 

[denniz]

Re: Alpha I, MR, are they the same?

Do you have a alpha 1 gen 2? what year isit?gen 2 has a different housing. all are 165:1 ratio. lower. mr has a A stamped on the propshaft and no preload pin, on top of the driveshaft. The pinion gear is preloaded below the waterpump. Hope that helps.

 

[capercanuck]

Re: Alpha I, MR, are they the same?

I'm getting my sterndrive changed and the company that is doing it says they will install an "MR" mercruiser. He said it is a 233R, with a gear ratio of 132:1. I have a 25' 6" Sunray Mirage and he said this sterndrive, with that ratio, is the best choice for my boat. Does this sound reasonable? The new sterndrive is rebuilt with a one year warranty. I questioned him about an Alpha I and he said the Alpha I that he has has a different ratio. He also said the MR is exactly the same as the Alpha I except for the location of a bolt under the waterpump. Is this guy feeding me a line or does this information sound reliable? The price he quoted me, to convert from my OMC 800 sterndrive to the rebuilt mercruiser is roughly $5200 (US). This includes fiberglassing the transom and changing out the OMC to accept the Merc. Any comments?

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Alpha I, MR, are they the same?

Dang!!! The old 233 was used on the Ford power plants in the mid 70's. They are not like the Alpha because they aren't as strong. The alpha's use a 1.50:1 ratio and still have a problem staying together with a heavy boat. So he's glassing up the transom and installing a old MR transom assembly with the old MR drive along with putting a mercruiser bellhousing and drive couplier on the OMC engine. I'm wondering how he's going to mate up the exhaust? Sorry, $5200 sounds kinda pricey to me. I don't know, he still has to change out the steering system and binacle controls. The front mounts on the engine will probably need to be replaced cause you probably have the electric trim built into the current mounts and the alignment of the engine would be off. You sure the boat is worth it?

 

[denniz]

Re: Alpha I, MR, are they the same?

Sounds squirrly to me. 233? ford 302? You could buy a pretty nice boat for $5200.