need help identifying sterndrive

[harman79]

I have been looking for several hours trying to figure out what out drive I have. The boat is a 1974 but I don't know if the drive has been changed at some point. I do not see any serial numbers at the decal location. It is a mercruiser outdrive and I have the big chunks apart so if I can take a picture of a certain area that would help i.d. it. It seems to be a 888 but the ones I have seen have a lifting lug on them but mine don't. It also has a flat mounting gasket that goes to the transom. Do the alphas use a o ring type? I am trying to get some parts for it like gaskets, o rings, gimbel bearing, and the six mounting studs. Is there a good place online to get these. I will get a picture soon to help out. thanks

 

[achris]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive

What you have is commonly called a 'FrankenMerc'. As an 888 it was originally an MC-1 drive, but it sounds like someone has replced it with an 'R', 'MR' or Alpha One at some time in the past.

The major assemblies are completely interchangeable, but the internals are not. You need to identify exactly what you have and where. The transom assembly is pre 1977, hence the flat cork/rubber transom gasket as opposed to the big fat 'O' ring style of the later units.

The drive is composed of 2 major sections, upper and lower, and these are interchangeably between MC-1, R, MR and Alpha one. You need to split the 2 halves apart and have a look at a few 'tells'... Does the drive shaft (from the lower) have an 'O' ring groove at the top and/or a spring loaded pin? Does the prop shaft have a letter 'A' stamped in the end of it? Does the end of the yoke have a letter stamped in it? There are also some shape changes to the castings. Have a look in the sticky section and find Don's 'Identifying Alpha drives", it has all the information you need to look for in there.

It is quite possible to have an MC-1 transom assembly, and 'MR' upper housing and an 'R' lower....

HTH

Chris.....

 

[harman79]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

got to take some pics today.

 

[Bondo]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

It is quite possible to have an MC-1 transom assembly, and 'MR' upper housing and an 'R' lower....

Ayuh,.... Chris hit the Bulls-eye without the pictures,....

 

[harman79]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

ok so the transom assembly is a mc1, the upper is a MR, and the lower a R. Does I boats sell parts for this. I am having a hard time finding the right parts. This setup has nothing to do with alpha parts? Seems like everything refers to alphas. I need the cork gasket,gimbel bearing, o rings and gaskets to put it back together. I also need the six transom assembly studs and a gasket where the trim lines attach to a plate on the bottom of the transom assembly. Please tell me the two bottom studs are not 45.00 a piece.

 

[achris]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Cork gasket (to transom I assume) -65533, $8.50
Transom assembly studs 16-56296, $7each
Gimbal bearing -879194A02, $83
Leg gasket kit 27-64818Q4, $5
Hydraulic connector Studs 16-56766, $86 (just kidding, only about $1.50 each )
Gasket for hydraulic connector 27-47347, $1.30

Chris......

 

[harman79]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

thanks chris. Are those part numbers mercruiser? and where did you look them up. iboats?

 

[achris]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

thanks chris. Are those part numbers mercruiser? and where did you look them up. iboats?

Mercruiser number, yes. I have Merc's Electronic Parts Catalogue on my computers, but you could look them up on any of the on-line mercruiser shops.

www.mercruiserparts.com
www.marinepowerservice.com
www.perfprotech.com

or use them in a search on iBoats.

 

[harman79]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

I have another question. Just trying to get the right parts. What exactly is 888. The outdrive or engine or both. Would the 888 be a mc1 transom. What was the 225s? my boat has a 225hp engine but was thinking it was a 888. When I went to perfprotech some of the gimbel assembly parts numbers are different between the two. Am I making this harder than it is. I thought I had it figured out but now i'm confused again. Also do they call a mc1 just #1

 

[duped]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

888 is the engine model. 302 ford, 2 barrel carb, 188HP. The drive/transom assy is an MC1 or #1 it could also be called. 225s is also a 302, but 4 barrel. There should be no differences in transom assy, between the 888 and the 225s.

 

[duped]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Thinking about it more, there is a chance when you look up the 225s parts, they are coming up for a TRS drive. I would just order for the 888.

 

[harman79]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

I think I got it figured out. everything is the same but I need transom gasket 2765373 because my trim switch is on top of the gimbel ring not on the sides. not sure why this changes the gasket but lists a different one.

 

[achris]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

... not sure why this changes the gasket but lists a different one.

Because the gimbal housing was completely redesigned. Among other things, they changed from a flat gasket surface to a groove, and a large 'O' ring style seal....

 

[achris]

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

Re: need help identifying sterndrive. added pics

...everything is the same but I need transom gasket 2765373 ....

My bad. It was early morning and I read the wrong line... Sorry... :redface: