Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

[magnumdeke]

found a boat with a ford 351 with a merc 233 out drive, how is parts availability and reliability on these units? Any quirks to them? Thanks for any info

 

[thumpar]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

What year is it? Serial numbers would help the smarter ones here.

 

[magnumdeke]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

It is in a 75, I have not gone to see it yet just trying to do some due dillegence before looking, and haggling

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

Ayuh,... It's older than dirt, 'n Fords haven't been used in Years...
But,...
Most of it's parts are still available,...

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

The basic 351W is a good engine, but as Bond-o pointed out, it IS an old package, would be very wise to pay a good MARINE tech to inspect before purchase, as a cheap boat is almost never a bargain...

 

[magnumdeke]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

Alright from the reading I have done 233 means hp, correct? If so then what leg, pre Alpha or Alpha 1, I wonder? Does look like parts are available for most everything, depending on what drive it has

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

Ayuh,.. The 233 is a mod.1 drive with 1.32 gears...

 

[GLENN M]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

i believe that one could be a little older than dirt.my 351 and electric shift omc was made when jesus was a cowboy.

 

[magnumdeke]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

Bondo, excuse my ignorance!, Mod 1 drive = pre Alpha then?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Mercruiser 233? with ford 351? ???'s

yes, pre alpha. However, pretty much everything is the same as the alpha aside from a few items of minor importance. There really isn't anything for the 233 Merc that can't still be found easily. There are only a few items that are NLA, but you can still find them easily online used (exhaust y-pipe, transom bracket, etc).

The 351w is an easy engine to work on and upgrade as well. Pretty much bulletproof like the 350. There's no reason not to use the 233 drive unless you just happen to hate Fords.