Merc 888 parts interchangeability

[jmoorepghpa]

Two questions:

What's the story on the 888? It looks like they only made the 888 for a couple of years. Is it just them playing around with the model numbers like they did with my 1150 outboard instead of just calling it a 115? Are any of the parts interchangeable with the gen1 or alpha one -- even like trim hoses or trim cylinders? My 888 is in good shape but I see a lot of boats sitting around I could scavenge parts off if I ever need them--- wondering what will fit mine. I'm concerned with the outdrive parts only.

I've got a guy has a brand spanking new alpha one outdrive still in the box. I'm not sure of the gear ratio yet. This unit consist of the upper and lower units --no gimbal housing. Can i retrofit that unit on my existing 888 set up? I'm thinking this is a long shot --- but. Any idea if I got the alpha one what else I would need to get it on the boat?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 888 parts interchangeability

Any idea if I got the alpha one what else I would need to get it on the boat?

If it's the V8 Ratio,..... It Should be a direct Swap..........
Same with parts off from any other Pre-Alphas as well.......

It looks like they only made the 888 for a couple of years.

Cause they only used the Ford power for a couple years......

 

[jmoorepghpa]

Re: Merc 888 parts interchangeability

Cool, any ideas on the model names or designations on the pre-alpha's- or did they just say Mercruiser on them. I guess If they look physically like the 888 then they are the same family of outdrive. I've been running a Merc 1150 for years and am a little rusty on the Mercruiser stuff.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Merc 888 parts interchangeability

I guess If they look physically like the 888 then they are the same family of outdrive.

Ayuh,.......
About Any of them with the "Eye" on the Top Cap are Pretty Much the same drives,......
'Course,..... There Are Differences in Gearing,+ Internal shaft dimensions,+ spline counts......
But Externally,... They're pretty much the Same........

You Should be able to bolt on an Alpha as well.......

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Merc 888 parts interchangeability

I believe they're mostly interchangeable between the other pre-alphas and the alpha 1 gen 1. My understanding is that Gen II and up has a different gimbal.

If the alpha 1 looks like it will fit your existing housing, it probably will work, provided, as others have said, that the gear ratio is correct (this can be changed) and the spline count is right (this can also be changed).

I don't know what your friend wants for the alpha 1, but be aware you can get an SE106 (alpha clone) from a third party for about $1200 new, comes with a 3 year warranty, and it will fit the 888 (MC-1) gimbal.

Erik

 

[jmoorepghpa]

Re: Merc 888 parts interchangeability

Thanks gentlement thats the info I was after.