233 gear ratio

[ringmaster]

i have a 1977 24ft sea ray with a 233 mercruiser and pre alpha drive. earlier i was reading a post and someone said that 233's have a 1.32 ratio. i did some searching and looked at mine and sure enough it does. i thought all v8's had a 1.50 ratio. would i benifit if i was to switch gears to a 1.50 ratio? it always seems at wot it wants more.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 233 gear ratio

it always seems at wot it wants more.

Ayuh,... More What,..??

Going from 1.32:1 to a 1.50:1 is like kicking down into passing gear.....a Slower ratio, Higher rpms...

Blows me Away that those Fords had such Long Legs....

 

[Don S]

Re: 233 gear ratio

Blows me Away that those Fords had such Long Legs....

Yeah, but they seemed to work fine for those that have them. Same size props as any Chevy 350 from what I see.

 

[ringmaster]

Re: 233 gear ratio

i was just courious it just doesnt seem right to have a 1.32 and all other v8's have a 1.50.

 

[Don S]

Re: 233 gear ratio

Are you having problems? If so, what????

All other V8's do not have a 1.50. The BBC's were all 1.32. Merc must have had a reason for the 1.32 on the 233, because they used the 1.50 before and after the 233's.

 

[ringmaster]

Re: 233 gear ratio

no no problems i have a 19p ss prop my wot is 40mph at 4000rpm's on the speedo not sure with gps. it has always seemed since i got it that its not useing all its power.

 

[rdj59]

Re: 233 gear ratio

No problems here either. 233 in a 74 22' Sea Ray turning a 14.5x19 aluminum 5000 rpm with 2 people and a full tank of gas. This was also with the interior gutted. No idea on speed. Over the winter i upgraded to a 4brl carb, aluminum intake, center rise manifolds and roller rockers so we'll se where the rpms end up at. May have to try a 21p with the ol' 1.32:1 ratio

Jeramie

 

[ringmaster]

Re: 233 gear ratio

thats what i want to do is change the intake and carb. mine has 1 barrel on it.

 

[Don S]

Re: 233 gear ratio

mine has 1 barrel on it.

Bull Hockey

No such thing as a 1 barrel on a V8. The 233 came with a 2bbl only.
You seem to be futsing without a clue as to what you have or what you may actually need toi do.

 

[ringmaster]

Re: 233 gear ratio

i can take a pic and show it is a 1 barrel i know fords and im a mechanic it may not be right but its on it. also im not fussing just asking questions.

 

[IVAZ]

Re: 233 gear ratio

no no problems i have a 19p ss prop my wot is 40mph at 4000rpm's on the speedo not sure with gps. it has always seemed since i got it that its not useing all its power.

If it truly does have a one barrel carb it?s not using all its power. You might want to consider leaving the drive alone (or not messing with it all) until you address the carb. You have an adapter plate on your intake?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 233 gear ratio

It's pretty close to being right, I believe 4200 is max WOT for the 351. The 1bbl seems like someone messed up, it didn't come from the factory that way. Most came with the 2bbl Rochester, but the 4bbl was an option at the time.

 

[ringmaster]

Re: 233 gear ratio

yes it has an adapter plate i have no intentions to changeing the outdrive i just repleaced the prop cause it was bad it had a 19p on it when i got it so thats what i put back on it. the motor runs beautiful but i know 351's and it isnt running to its full potential thats all. last year i went on a 4hr cruise and used only a half a tank of gas cruiseing at 30mph so im not realy worried about it if i dont do anything to it.