MC-1 260 swap

[meantobe63]

I purchased a 1981 Searay with the 260hp setup for the trailer, some pieces off of it, and the potential of using the complete drivetrain for an older boat.
With the 1968 Glaspar and 1969 Tom Sawyer I own, I’m noticing some parts are hard to come by for this drive setup (trim cylinders, trim pump, etc) and the older technology like the reverse lockout and sealed pump etc went away with the Alpha 1.

My question is, how much better is an Alpha 1 setup compared to a 1981 MC-1? I have a complete Gen 2 setup (steering, inner and outer transom, bell housing, outdrive, trim pump. exhaust manifolds and y-pipe, etc.) Pretty much everything from a donor boat except the engine and accessories. I was hoping to hold on to those parts for a LS conversion for another older boat, but that’s a project for later on and it’s all just sitting around in the meanwhile

Thank you

 

[alldodge]

Alpha History

 

[Scott06]

I purchased a 1981 Searay with the 260hp setup for the trailer, some pieces off of it, and the potential of using the complete drivetrain for an older boat.
With the 1968 Glaspar and 1969 Tom Sawyer I own, I’m noticing some parts are hard to come by for this drive setup (trim cylinders, trim pump, etc) and the older technology like the reverse lockout and sealed pump etc went away with the Alpha 1.

My question is, how much better is an Alpha 1 setup compared to a 1981 MC-1? I have a complete Gen 2 setup (steering, inner and outer transom, bell housing, outdrive, trim pump. exhaust manifolds and y-pipe, etc.) Pretty much everything from a donor boat except the engine and accessories. I was hoping to hold on to those parts for a LS conversion for another older boat, but that’s a project for later on and it’s all just sitting around in the meanwhile

Thank you

I belive all you would need for the Gen2 swap is the flywheel cover off a later (than your MC1) engine. They changed the rear motor mount spacing between the MC1 and Alpha gen one.

I think it makes sense based on what you lay out. The gen 2 is current production so parts will continue to be available. I would consider a bravo for an LS swap as the Alphas only handle 300 or a tad more HP

 

[meantobe63]

I belive all you would need for the Gen2 swap is the flywheel cover off a later (than your MC1) engine. They changed the rear motor mount spacing between the MC1 and Alpha gen one.

I think it makes sense based on what you lay out. The gen 2 is current production so parts will continue to be available. I would consider a bravo for an LS swap as the Alphas only handle 300 or a tad more HP

I have a complete Bravo 1 drive sitting around as well but saving that for a heavier boat like a pontoon or something. I’ve seen a lot of LS swaps in light boats and they’ve held up fine so I’m gonna cross my fingers. Haha

 

[Scott06]

I have a complete Bravo 1 drive sitting around as well but saving that for a heavier boat like a pontoon or something. I’ve seen a lot of LS swaps in light boats and they’ve held up fine so I’m gonna cross my fingers. Haha

yes light boat and also the weight of your right arm... There was a thread on here with a guy with a 24 ft bayliner, stock 5.7 merc with alpha that kept tearing gears up. So in smaller boat may be fine with good lube and drive shower.

Sounds like you have a bunch of parts and know what you are doing. You will be way better off modernizing than trying to keep a MC1 going. Not that they are a bad set up just parts obsolesce and knowledge base available as they haven made them since like 1981