Re: 302 to 351HO - Will Type I outdrive handle the HP?
I have a 24' Apollo (formula) 1976 which had a mercruiser 233 (233hp). The original drive ratio was 1.23, ran a 14x17 prop and did 40 mph wide open.<br />I repowered in 1993 with the same motor you listed from basic power. I reused my original flywheel housing, exhaust, fuel pump, alternator, starter with no problems. I would call basic power and specifically ask if the flywheel housing from your 302 motor/model will match up to the 351 you want to get. They should also be able to tell you weight and dimension differences. Your exhaust should match up no problem. I went with replacement osco exhaust manifolds and risers from basic power also, which frees up a lot of engine room on the side compared to the original merc log manifolds. Manifold part number was 28001 I think, risers were CR818 I think. There's an elbow and wet exhaust hose kit to make it all fit, it's a decent setup. Definitely ask about that if and when you get a new motor, tell them you want a discount for buying everything from them. Also, my 351HO came with Holley 4b carb and prestolite distributor, your link didn't mention it. The prestolite will come with points ignition but you can convert that to a pertronix electronic very easy and inexpensively, unless you want to go with a new complete distributor from Pertonix, MSD, or Mallory.<br /><br />I have had no problems with the flywheel housing or coupler ever. My original drive, which was the #1 from 1976, siezed the top bearing due to an oil leak but that drive's time was up anyway. On the replacement which was a rebuilt used #1, I sheared the propshaft under power but I noticed on the rebuild parts list that the propshaft was a used part. I then spent $5k on a new alpha gen 1 drive and had no problems since. It's a 1.5 ratio and I run a 4-blade 14x20 prop and do about 45mph, maybe 50 when the hull and running gear is clean. I've slalom skied with the boat for years, plenty of w.o.t. take offs and never had a drive problem. I had asked a merc sales rep at the NY boat show shortly before I purchased the drive (not from him) about it's capabilities and they said generally the alpha 1 is used on applications up to 300hp, but that was from a salesman, who asked his other salesman buddies, and that's the number they came up with. But they did say the newer alpha is stronger and better designed than the the old #1 drives, which I can believe.
