Mercruiser 233 Alpha 1 to OMC 3.8L COBRA

[steveb32x]

I recently purchased a 1975 25' Slickraft cuddy with a Mercruiser 233 (Ford 351 W)and an Alpha 1 drive. The boat was not properly winterized, and was stored outdoors for 9 years. The engine is shot, the drive needs a re-build. The hull is in excellent shape and is solid. I have a 1983 3.8L OMC with a Cobra drive in excellent condition. Obviously the transom hole must be enlarged to change to the OMC. Has anyone done this before? Problems? Issues? Is it practical? Or should I just go with a re-man?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 233 Alpha 1 to OMC 3.8L COBRA

The transom cutout will be the same, so that won't be a problem, but the 3.8 will probably not thet a 25' boat on plane.

 

[JasonB]

Re: Mercruiser 233 Alpha 1 to OMC 3.8L COBRA

I would deal with the needs of the Mercruiser for a number of reasons. That Windsor block is as good a motor as there is and parts are easy to obtain + relatively inexpensoive (check out northernautoparts.com. You can just replace the drive off iboats for $1500 or so. I would do that before fighting the OMC. I doubt you would be happy with the 3.8 after all the work taht will be needed (reshape transom cutout, move motor mounts?,rewire, etc)