outdrive upgrade

[Quadruplecccc]

I'm curious? I'll use my setup as an example: I have a #1 outdrive on my boat. There are so many diff. versions out there but they are not all compatible. Using my merc. engine(351w), can I convert to say a gen 2. Is an old mercruiser engine like mine upgradeable? Please hold all smart ar$$ replies ! What would this job involve? Thank you!

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive upgrade

Ayuh,...
You could bolt on an Alpha 1 outdrive to your transom assembley,...
That's not really an Up-grade, but more available parts...

The Ford won't marry up to anything newer than what you have for a transom assembly now....

As far as Up-grading the motor,..?? Just where do you want to Go with it,..??
Bolting on a 4bbl. Carb is about it,.. If it don't already have 1...

 

[Quadruplecccc]

Re: outdrive upgrade

Take it a little further, Will it work if you change the gimbal housing and inner transom assembly?

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive upgrade

Ayuh,... What are we keeping,..??

You can bolt in a Brand New 5.7 MPI with a Bravo III if you Want to,....
The Sky is the Limit,... As long as your Checkbook can support it.....

 

[Don S]

Re: outdrive upgrade

Basically, Merc didn't use the Ford setups after the late 70's. So upgrading from the Alpha type drive is not possible. The Alpha I drive is just a newer model of the One drives. The Gen II Alphas will not work at all.
Now, if you want to get rid of the Mercruiser part and stick with your 351, you could go OMC Cobra, not really an option since they went out of buisness over 10 years ago, or you could go to the Volvo Penta SX drives used in the mid 90's. The SX transom shield and drive could easily be converted to the DP-S drive (Dual Props) by just replacing the lower unit.

Note, none of this is going to be done cheaply. SX transom shield and Ford parts are seldom found on ebay or craigslist. So finding a doner boat may not be an easy thing to find. But it would be a great setup with available parts from Volvo.