Drive Change HELp Please

[matty8468]

I have a merccruiser 228 which is basically a 302, I currently have a 1.5 ratio alpha 1 gen 1 bolted up to it, im looking at a 1.65 ratio alpha 1 gen 1. Does anyone know if this will work, the gentelman told me he had it hooked up to a 302 before.


Thanks

 

[45Auto]

Re: Drive Change HELp Please

It'll work fine. If your boat is currently propped correctly with the 1.5, you'll have to change to a prop with about 10% more pitch to make up for the ratio difference.

 

[matty8468]

Re: Drive Change HELp Please

Can I test it with the ears with the old prop to make sure it works before purchasing a new prop.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive Change HELp Please

I have a merccruiser 228 which is basically a 302

No, it's not. A 228 is a Chevy 305, the 302 is a Ford engine.

The 1.65 gear ratio is for a 6 cylinder engine, not a V8,

Does anyone know if this will work

Will it work, yes. It will physically fit, but it's not the correct gear ratio. The guy that had it on the 302 also had the wrong drive.

It will work, but it will not work like the correct gear ratio. Once you get the prop changed to get the correct WOT rpm, you will probably find it a bit slower getting on plane.