1989 searay amberjack twin 4.3 w B1 sterndrives

Bruce Colley

New Member
Apr 7, 2018
25
Boat Info
1989 Amberjack 270
Engines
twin 4.3
Bought my boat last friday, the seller didn't have props for the boat. So I assumed they were stock alpha 1 drives. After doing some research i have found they are Bravo 1 drives. I have to double check the engine serial numbers once I am back where my boat is store but they are definitely mpi engines but i was told they were the HO model 220 hp. Either way i am wondering what if any difference i can expect. my understanding is these boats came with alpha 1 gen 2 drives or bravo 3 drives. I read that b1 is good for 600hp, so is that a better drive then. Also how can i figure out what prop i should get and what is the likely hood of the port drive being counter rotating.
 
No such thing as an "HO" 4.3L MPI. IF it's an "MPI", not an "EFI", they were all 220HP. I posted in your other thread where you were trying to figure out what drives you had. I mentioned they (at least the transom assemblies since that was the serial number you posted) were both used and from different boats. Did you verify that - or were you aware of that?

B1 is not "better" than "B3". It is different. B1 is typically for go-fast boats, were as B3 works better for cruisers. You'll be fine with the B1's, though. Prop depends, in part, on drive ratio - which you need to find out. But, you can start with something like a 19" or 21" and see how that works - then adjust from there.
 
Thanks for your response, I haven’t confirmed with an expert from the pictures I have seen and used to compare they look like b1’s. I can find any serial numbers on the drives themselves just the ones on the transom plate and a few other things Indicate they are b1 drives. Apparently the seller is dropping off the props so that will help as b1 props are super expensive. I am just drustrated with the misinformation and the time I have wasted researching the wrong items. I knew what I was getting but I thought at least he knew what he had on his boat
 
Are you in Canada? I only ask because, if it helps you figure things out, both transom assemblies show that they were originally bought in BC.

Oh, I looked into the serial numbers a little further. Now, again, we're speaking about two different transom assemblies from two different boats... But, one of those assemblies was originally hooked up to a B2. So you definitely have some sort of Frankenstein thing going on there. That's not to say that it's a bad thing - just that it makes it hard to figure things out. Since it sounds like the boat was probably run with those drives on it, HOPEFULLY they are at least the same gear ratio.

My best guess to explain things... the boats were total insurance losses after a storm and the various parts were sold off individually.
 
Bruce, just curious, without props on the boat how did you have it surveyed?
Shawn
 
Thanks guys were can you look up this info on the drives, I am stumped, and I work with computers so I am computer savy,

I didn’t have the boat surveyed, I didn’t pay that much for it, considering what they can go for. I got into it only seeing one engine run which is fine as I can figure that out easily. But I assumed the legs were the same. I think I am going to get a marine mechanic to come tell me what’s up with the legs
 
Thanks guys were can you look up this info on the drives, I am stumped, and I work with computers so I am computer savy,

I didn’t have the boat surveyed, I didn’t pay that much for it, considering what they can go for. I got into it only seeing one engine run which is fine as I can figure that out easily. But I assumed the legs were the same. I think I am going to get a marine mechanic to come tell me what’s up with the legs
I think that is a great idea. I would make sure it's a Mercury mechanic.
 
Thanks guys were can you look up this info on the drives, I am stumped, and I work with computers so I am computer savy,
I'm not sure if you can find this somewhere on the net... I've never tried - I work at a dealership.
 

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