Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

[89cruisers]

Hi there, I am looking at a 1971 Starfire, with a 302 Mercruiser, the uper gear housing is bad, along with the gimbal bearing, looking at this
http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/cross_reference_help.html
it appears the stern drive is a 215 4bbl, the serial number on it is 2910038 (model number was unreadable) but I cant seem to find any info on this drive? I know it was bigger than my 165, and this engine takes in water from a outside vent instead of thru the drive. any info would be helpfull. Thanks!

 

[captk]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

Sounds like a #2 drive not a MC1 they are lots bigger and all together different from the 1s. several different 2s were offered but this is a place to start good luck Bill

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

I don't quite get what your saying? what is a 1 or a 2?

 

[captk]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

Mercruiser made several different drives from the early 60s till today. They were designated by numbers. some were, 1A,1B, 1C. 1 ez shift, 2, 2tr,2trs,215h,215e,and a #3. in the 80s they started the alpha, alpha gen 2, bravo, etc. With the transom mounted water pickup, you have one of the #2 drives.

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

oh alright, I assumed my service manual covered all mercruiser drives, is there any way of telling which model I have then? I can't buy it until I know how much the parts are going to cost

 

[frank246]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

Edited

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

It looks like this boat is still for sale, so im sure he is ready to move it for a good price, does anyone have any more info on this thing?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

"Adults Only- Miscelaneous Mercruiser Info- Mercruiser Alpha Id and History: great download. Check it out. Has the answers you are looking for:
http://www.4shared.com/file/213854305/deac4209/Mercruiser_Alpha_ID_and_Histor.html

 

[captk]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

Lots of good info in that link but I believe you have A 215E, or 215H. Not the #1s that link addresses. They use a Mercruiser 2TR drive and a transmission between the engine and the drive. The transmission is either a velvet drive or a MercTrans2. Parts are real expensive and becoming scarce. The 215E was electric shift, the 215H hydraulic. check out this link. Has some drive pics. http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

is there any way of telling which model I have then? I can't buy it until I know how much the parts are going to cost

Ayuh,... Post a Picture of it might help,...
But, from what's in this thread so far,...
You don't want it anyways as parts probably just Aren't available, muchless Super Pricey...

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

Oh jeeze, yes this is sounding very very expensive, can one just... take the old belhousing off and put like a bravo in its place? or even just an alpha?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

can one just... take the old belhousing off and put like a bravo in its place? or even just an alpha?

Ayuh,... With enough Work,... Ya, that'll work...

 

[Don S]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

can one just... take the old belhousing off and put like a bravo in its place? or even just an alpha?

NO! Everything is completely different. The drive is like a TR, no shifting done in the outdrive, and you have a transmission on the back of the engine.
You probably need to avoid that boat all together. Parts for the drive and transmission (if the Merc tranny) are almost non-existant.

 

[89cruisers]

Re: Looking at a boat but I can't find info about the sterndrive model

Alright thanks guys, I guess this is why that boat is still for sale for so cheap, I will be sure to avoid it... thanks again everyone..now off to look at a wellcraft and a sea ray instead