Mcruiser 188/302 w/ MC1 888/898 Identification Help Needed

[Wyte]

I am new to i/o's. I have 1972 Newman 22ft that has a ford 188/302 in it. I can find very little info on this particular boat.

1st question. It has a MC1 898 drive on it. I have read up as much as i can find. Some say the 898 is for chevy 305/350 and the 888 is for ford 302/351. I don't know any history of parts on this boat if original or not. Why would the 898 be mated to a 302 ?Is it standard issue or something someone has done for whatever reason ? Im trying to learn as much as i can before i have to tear thing apart. It needs help and engine work. I bought it to fix and take my grandsons fishing.

2nd question. The power tilt and trim. Will it kick up like an outboard it it hits a stump or try to try the transom off ?

3rd question. Just wondering. I have read with a large cam with too much valve duration overlap will allow water the sucked back into the exhaust. No i don't have a big cam and i'm not planning on using one. Can this happen when you have the water muffs on with too much water pressure ? This motor will have to repaired before it will run and i have not seen it run.

 

[Wyte]

[No message]

 

[Scott Danforth]

I can answer your third question.. yes, large cam increases overlap, however no, muff with a stock cam are fine.

if you have water in the exhaust, it is most likely a failed manifold to elbow joint

my first question, why did you buy a boat with an obsolete and expensive to fix drive and motor?

 

[Wyte]

It was cheap and i expect to repair it and go fish.

 

[Scott Danforth]

did you check the hull for rot?

 

[Bondo]

1st question.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... Cool lookin' lil' boat,....

The 898, 'n the 888 are MC-1 drives in 1.50:1 gear ratio,....
The only difference is the stickers stuck on the outside of the housin's that say 898, or 888,....

#2,.... It sounds like the reverse lock switch in the trim return line has been bypassed,...
It's probably mounted to the shift switch plate, probably mounted on the inner transom plate,....

#3,.... Ford power was dropped from the Merc line up, rather shortly after the time that boat was New,....
Hence, a poor parts market,.... where as Chevy parts are a dime a dozen,....

 

[Wyte]

Yes Scott ,and the fiberglass has not rotted yet. The stringers are solid and i'm going to replace the transom pad.

 

[Wyte]

Thanks Bondo. I guess to simplify it i was wondering if 888 is ford and 898 is chevy, but right now I think I will probably just replace the motor and drive with a 5.7 set I recently ran across. I have not had the boat in the water. At a quick glance i did not see any release valve knob on the ptt pump is why i was asking.

 

[southkogs]

The outdrive won't bump up like an outboard will if you hit something. It does give a little, but not like I think you're picturing in your head. I whacked a stump last year at low speed and it was a little unnerving how solid things sounded

 

[Wyte]

That is what i have been concerned may happen.

 

[southkogs]

On the lake I go on the most, the depth can change VERY quickly. Because it's an impounded lake, there are still trees and buildings down there, and the bottom is mostly good ole fashioned Tennessee rock ... it can jump up and bite quick.

I've got depth charts for the lake (and river too, actually), but if I'm not familiar with the area I'm in - or I know I'm in shallow - I'll bring the drive way up and slow way down. If I was fishing, if I didn't opt for a different boat altogether then I'd probably mound a small outboard kicker on for getting in the skinny stuff.

 

[Wyte]

Our lakes here in Texas are mostly clear or mostly stumps. I got this boat to fish for crappie, catfish, and stripers with my grandsons. It's my first i/o boat, i've grown up with outboards. The plan is under bridges, brushpiles, and open water. I may regret buying it, but it's got alot of open room which will be great for being lazy and fishing. If it doesn't work out i can always sell it and back to an outboard.