what is a mercruiser 188

[elkhunter338]

I am tentatively looking at a 1977 boat with a mercruiser 188.

Is this a 302 ford engine?
I assume outdrive is a pre alpha geared for the 188 hp engine.


this is in a 25' starcraft, so boat is about 3,000 lbs loaded. Hp should be ok.
I have a 21' starcraft with a 140hp right now and I am ok with the top end speed.

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

Yes, it's a Ford 302 v8.

 

[achris]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

I am tentatively looking at a 1977 boat with a mercruiser 188.

Is this a 302 ford engine?
I assume outdrive is a pre alpha geared for the 188 hp engine.

this is in a 25' starcraft, so boat is about 3,000 lbs loaded. Hp should be ok.
I have a 21' starcraft with a 140hp right now and I am ok with the top end speed.

Yes, it's a Ford 302 v8.

With a 2 bbl carb. The drive is not a 'pre-alpha' (Merc never made a 'pre-alpha'), it's a Mercruiser-1 drive, or MC-1 for short.... The correct ratio for the 888 was 1.50:1...

Chris......

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

This is not a trouble free motor.Plenty of issues including a troublesome charging system,disimilar metals,hard to get parts.Will have a catastrophic failure faster than just about any other motor. This is how it was explained to me when looking at a boat with twins of this type that were practically new.I ultimately opted for the same boat with twin v8 mercruisers.Charlie

 

[500dollar744ti]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

^^^ Sir, you are confused. You're thinking of the mercruiser 470, 170, 180 series engines, the big 3.7 liter 4-cylinder. It does have all the problems you list.

HOWEVER, the original question was about a Mercruiser 188, which is a V8 Ford sterndrive and is not plagued with the problems you have listed.

No need to give inaccurate information, no offense to you intended, just trying to clear it up for the original poster.

 

[180shabah]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

This is not a trouble free motor.Plenty of issues including a troublesome charging system,disimilar metals,hard to get parts.Will have a catastrophic failure faster than just about any other motor...

I think you are talking about a 470 - aluminum 4cyl with an iron ford 460 head.

This is a 302 ford, and while some parts can be harder to get and cost more, it is no more prone to "catastrophic failure" than any other engine....

 

[180shabah]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

looks like 500 types faster....

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

Yes 180 you are correct.thanks for the correction. 500 take a chill pill and show some respect in the future! Charlie

 

[harleyman1975]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

That 888 is a good setup. If it has been well maintained you can expect a long happy relationship! I have one and really like the old girl.

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: what is a mercruiser 188

That 888 is a good setup. If it has been well maintained you can expect a long happy relationship! I have one and really like the old girl.

Thanks for the feedback and information.

 

[Christopher1988]

i have a 1980 wellcraft sunhatch with a Mercruiser ford 302 188hp some wire off the motor and not sure where they go can someone help me with the wiring harness diagram

 

[jbcurt00]

i have a 1980 wellcraft sunhatch with a Mercruiser ford 302 188hp some wire off the motor and not sure where they go can someone help me with the wiring harness diagram

Start a topic about your Mercruiser and ask again there.