I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

[menglor]

Hi there all, I think this is my first post, Brain isnt on all cylinders today, so ignore me


So I bought a boat from a guy for a grand, its a Sunray 233 I believe it to be a 1971-1976 era boat, with a Ford 351CI (233hp) engine. V8

now the boat is up at my dads for the winter, all tucked away under many tarps, so I cant confirm many things quickly if someone asks for ...

Anyway, the Serial number on the engine is " 4476062 " and on the Stern Drive its : " 4431364 "

I havent been able to start it yet, turns over but no spark, and I found a great guide here with tips on trouble shooting the problem, so I expectt to get it working.

Compression tests reveal 1 cyclinder at 90psi, and all the rest at 125-150.

I know I am going to need to do a few things before getting it water worthy, because I have noticed that after 10 minutes of trying to start it, I saw fuel leaking through one of the gaskets between the carb and intake manifold. So I am also making the assumption fuel is getting to the engine .

So, things I want to do.

1 - rebuild the Carb.
2 - new wires, Rotor, Cap, Points and plugs.
3 - new oil filter, oil
4 - tilt oil change, Stern drive oil change ....

I am not sure what Else I am going to need, maybe people can make a few recomendations of things I need to get working on.

ANYWAY, my problem is finding the right parts.

Basically, I am trying to find the right mercruiser part numbers so I can get the right stuff, and or Future parts I am going to need.

But all the websites I go too, dont recognize my engine serial number , but if I browse for I sometimes find stuff. but in few cases one site says .... and another has a different number.

So HELP!

I once found a parts blow out on iBoats, but to be honest, I can re-find it. can anyone offer suggestions or sites where I can at least reference the right part numbers?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Welcome Aboard...

The 233, Ford 351 engine would be between '75 and '77, and the outdrive would be a MC-1.

You would need Mercruiser service manual# 2 which would cover the engine and drive.

Download that link below for the info:
http://www.4shared.com/file/213854305/deac4209/Mercruiser_Alpha_ID_and_Histor.html

I would also replace the impeller in the drive, which should be done every couple of years anyways, as well as check the bellows hoses for cracks and replace if necessary. If the bellows are replaced I would also replace the lower shift cable while it is apart.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

www.mercruiserparts.com

 

[achris]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

HERE is a link to Manual #2.

Places I use the find parts:
Crowley Marine
Performance Product Technologies
MarinePowerService
Mercruiserparts
Google....

Have fun. I hope it was winterized properly before you put it to bed, or you'll be replacing the engine block come spring....

Chris..........

 

[cr2k]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Also NAPA has a marine catalog and can order most parts. You should check very carefully all the rubber parts for age. Yes the impeller needs changing every other year and should be done before you attempt to start. You exhaust hoses are cooled on the inside by the water that cools the engine and you can not tell if they are good by looking. You should give them a squeeze to make sure they are not fried on the inside. If you don't have a set of "muffs" get one before you start the motor. Good luck with your project. Feel free to ask questions as you go and keep up up on your progress. ALL electrical and fuel parts MUST be marine or you risk blowing up your boat.

 

[menglor]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Ok, so WOW!

so thanks BOAT loads for the 2 service manuals, knowing that its a MC-1 is a load off my mind, because when I look at the service manual I have, there only seemed to be a Alpha Gen 1, and a Pre Alpha, and the boat out drive didnt look like either one. but this new book you linked for me has WAY more information, thanks for that.

So, at the moment, I am thinking of driving up to my dads and bringing home the outdrive, since I am going to need to work on it anyway, I will mention the person I bought the boat from says it hasnt been in the water for 2 years, and I believe him, I just hope the 70 year old guy isnt a liar

I found the Napa catalog site, unfortunatly I live in Canada and I dont think I have seen a napa store around here. but at least I know to look now.


ok, so for my next formal question, I went to http://www.mercruiserparts.com/selectModels3.asp?type_id=8I , and browsing through there catalog, I came up with 2 choices.

233 FORD 351 V-8 1975-1977
233 MIE FORD 351 V-8 1975-1976

At the high level, they look like identical choices, but I know somewhere a long the way, I am going to get nailed with buying the wrong part because I choose poorly after a bit of searching, I read that "Inboard engines are MIE engines." so I am left to wonder whats the other one? and mostly whats the differences. If anyone can point out the differences or at the least, explain the differences , that would be most appreciative.


ok, So one last question before I sign off, I was wondering if anyone knows of any person or group thats maintaining a technical ish youtube channel with tips, tricks, Walkthrough, here is what I did ... please post there channel names, I ran accross this channel while trying to find info on how to re-paint or fix up the boat, and I gotta tell you, just watching his project develop was kool, FriscoJarretts youtube.

I am no mechanic, or body worker, but I am also not affraid to try, but I also love to watch other people do stuff so I can learn or take on a project. so recomendations would be appriated.

My ultimate plan is to get the engine up and running, re-upholster everything, and if I dont break this one, I would like to get it painted. I painted my motorcyle years back, and I am sure a boat is a bigger project, but hey its only money and my time.

thanks all for the great help and recomendations, lots of good stuff here.


oh and one last question, I am trying to figure out which rotor, cap and wires to order, and I can see 2 kinds. Prestolite and mercury marine. is there an obvious way to tell which one you have over the other? I know I am going to need to do a road trip to go check things out, but I figure I should ask while I am here

thanks again

 

[Bondo]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

233 FORD 351 V-8 1975-1977
233 MIE FORD 351 V-8 1975-1976

At the high level, they look like identical choices, but I know somewhere a long the way, I am going to get nailed with buying the wrong part because I choose poorly after a bit of searching, I read that "Inboard engines are MIE engines." so I am left to wonder whats the other one? and mostly whats the differences. If anyone can point out the differences or at the least, explain the differences , that would be most appreciative.

Ayuh,... The MIE is for Inboard power, 'n the MCM is for Outdrive powered boats...
Obviously, you have the MCM motor...

 

[menglor]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Ayuh,... The MIE is for Inboard power, 'n the MCM is for Outdrive powered boats...
Obviously, you have the MCM motor...

ok cool, so I guess the only real difference will be the hardware at the flywheel and such, Thanks very much

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Here are a couple for you to watch:

Rochester Quadrajet Rebuild Videos

Separating the outdrive video

Replacing Mercruiser impeller video

 

[achris]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Just on nomenclature, we try and give things the right names here. Saves a lot of confusion.
You saw a website using the term 'Pre-Alpha'. There is no such thing as 'pre-alpha', there is MC-1, R, MR, Alpha One and Alpha One Gen II. Anybody using the term pre-alpha is talking our of the back of their head (could even be a little lower down ).
Also to give you some pre-knowledge, all of the upper and lower units from MC-1 to Alpha One (NOT Gen II) are interchangeable. The internal parts are not, just the complete units, and any of them will fit any bell-housing from about 1967 to 1990.

Here's a great post by young Don S on the names of various parts.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430&p=2437200&viewfull=1#post2437200

Chris.......

 

[fmalott]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Also don't get confused on the name Alpha1 Gen 1 there is no such name it's Alpha 1 or Alpha1 Gen 2 i think when they say pre-alpha they mean MC-1 , R, MR i learn't all this when i realized i got a I-R outdrive

 

[menglor]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

thanks all, its been an eye opener.

I just got home from my dads, I brought the outdrive home. I was rather suprised when I got the drive off. there was some water sitting inside where the boot was, and Oh man the stench!

was a fair bit of ice as well, but mostly inside the rings of the boot. pulled it all out and its all good.

so I am obviously going to need to take the lower unit off and re-do the impeller, its obvious that if its sat for 2 years, it definitly needs a changing.

Something else I am considering, but havent decided I am going to do yet.


I am contemplating taking the engine out and and the gimble housing, because the previous owner has used some kind of silicon maybe because it was leaking. If all I do is take the engine out , can I get away without doing an alighment?

Do you think its possible to get the Gimble housing and the transome plate off without moving the engine?





oh and if I havent said it enough, man thanks for all the input!!

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

Your in good hands at this site lots of smart folks around!

The silicone around the drive would lead me to take a real good look at the transom to check for rot. Most of the time when i have seen this, the boat is taking on water because the bolts can no longer hold the gasket tight on the transom to prevent water from leaking in.
Before you spend a bunch of money on the engine stuff, you might want to figure out why the compression was low in that one cylinder. Its not the end of the world and could just be a rusty seat if the engine sat for a long time without running. The seat, if that were the problem, might seal back up after running a bit.

Good luck! Getting on the water in a boat you fixed up is a good feeling.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I need some help finding the best way to get parts for my motor!

I am contemplating taking the engine out and and the gimble housing, because the previous owner has used some kind of silicon maybe because it was leaking. If all I do is take the engine out , can I get away without doing an alighment?

Nope,....

Do you think its possible to get the Gimble housing and the transome plate off without moving the engine?

Nope again...

Ya pull the drive, then the motor, then the transom assembly...
Anytime a motor is removed, it oughta be aligned at reinstallation,..
Not doin' so is just plain ole foolish....