Repower Sea Ray 230 BR

M

maverickmt

New Member
Feb 4, 2009
6
I just purchased a "new" engine for my 1996 230 BR. I got the 7.4mpi. Two questions - one how difficult will it be to replace the exising carburated 350? The guy in the shop thinks it wont be bad, will my existing outdrive be ok (alpha 1.) I am hoping the fact that the boat is primarily run at high altitude (mountain lakes of colorado) will reduce the horsepower ennough that ill be fine with the existing outdrive...

On a side not my current top speed is around 45mph now - where should i be after upgrade?
 
From what I have read.
The 454 has about 90 more ft/lbs of tq then the 5.7
You should be able to add 4" more prop pitch from what you have now.

So at 45 mph.
You should be turning 800 rpm less with the 454ci by adding 4" more pitch increase.
Thats the way the #s look on paper anyway.

The Gen 1 Alpha 1 drives were the weak link.
Boats weighing 7500lbs or more.
The 5.7 and 454ci used the same prop specs.
Guess they baby the Alpha 1 with the 454ci on the heavy boats.

Boats weighing less then 7K
The 454ci Spec ed out with more prop pitch.
The lighter your boat. the faster you can make it go with the 454ci Alpha 1 package.

My boat weighs like 8k
The 454ci does me no good unless I change to a stronger bravo drive.
Seems a Bravo 3 drive is good for another 3 mph speed increase if you have an extra 6k sitting around.
 
I would not trust a Mechanic that says...
I don't think it should be bad.

I believe the 454ci is 1" longer x 2" wider then the 5.7
I cant find my notes:smt021

Do a search on companys that sell marine engines.
Them company's have the exact dimensions of the engines.

I have no idea if the front motor mounts line up going SBC to BBC
If they don't, Make dam sure you find a mechanic that has done marine repowers before.
And is comfortable.
Moving the mounts and doing the necessary fibreglass work, if needed.

Good luck with your repower.
I should be dropping a 496ci in my boat next year.

O'yea, The Gen 2 Alphas are stronger then Gen 1 Alphas
 
+1 to not trusting your mechanic.

Your motor mounts will NOT line up. You will have to build new stringers unless they left you a good amount of beef on the ones there.

The amount of work and money to drop a big block in there, and still have it mated to an alpha...will not pay off in the end. And if you want to put a bravo transom on there....your better off buying another boat.

Sea Ray made a 230sel that had a 7.4 with a bravo, that thing is a beaut.

This biggest you can fit in there without moving the mounts is a 377ci or a 6.2L

If its an MPI, which is equipped with a MAP sensor, it will detect a change in atmospheric pressure unlike your carburator. Full horsepower will be available at all times regardless of altitude
 
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Wow - thanks for all the input! Unfortunately (or forutnately - well see) I already have the boat in with the mechanic. He has done a lot of repowers though, and I have worked with him in the past and not had problems. Spoke with him today and he has already pulled the old motor - says he'll be done by friday. Do you think I have the gen 2 alpha 1? How can I tell. My boat is the 230 BR Select - so it was available with the 454 and the compartment is large ennough - the question is can he get it to line up with the outdrive or am i in trouble... I guess well see on friday!
 
You may need to buy a new Bellhousing, Flywheel, and Engine coupler. Going from SBC to BBC. A good guess here.

My SELOC manual only goes to 2001.
Early 1985 Merc made a stronger drive. Alpha 1 MR
So the Gen 2 Alpha 1 May have came out in 2002.

This book states the Bravo 1 came out in 1988
And the Bravo 2 came out in 1989
With that info looks like The 454ci Alpha 1 MR package may have been used from 85 till 88.
Then Merc realized they need a stronger drive

You could do a search online.
You can tell the difference in drives by how many nuts hold the lower unit on.
Also, The Alpha 1 MR has a nut under the zinc anode above the prop bolting the lower unit to the upper unit.

The Gen 2 does not have that bolt.
Very easy to find this info out online.
The Gen 2 has a bigger impeller also.
 
The Alpha 1 Gen 2 came out in '91.

Here is a history of mercruiser drives.
 
Vapor lock - so i have put about 50 hours on the new engine - I love it, works great! Just took the boat to powell though and had some problems with vapor lock... When the boat had been running for a while then turned off - it would not restart after a 30-45 minutes, if i opened the compartment and let the motor cool off... no problems... i am thinking about P/N 86226A7 i can get it for 325 shipped -has anyone installed this kit? Is it worth it? I am guessing i only saw this problem now because of the additional heat in powell...
 
Before you spend the money, try running your blower all the time.
 
maverickmt said:
Vapor lock - so i have put about 50 hours on the new engine - I love it, works great! Just took the boat to powell though and had some problems with vapor lock... When the boat had been running for a while then turned off - it would not restart after a 30-45 minutes, if i opened the compartment and let the motor cool off... no problems... i am thinking about P/N 86226A7 i can get it for 325 shipped -has anyone installed this kit? Is it worth it? I am guessing i only saw this problem now because of the additional heat in powell...
Click to expand...

Are you talking about this gizmo ?

5882.jpg


These guys have it for $202.32 http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...4854&bnbr=100&bdesc=Fuel+Pump+and+Fuel+Cooler

P/N 861267A1

This might work. Out of curiosity, are you running E-10 fuel ?

That bilge blower idea might work better than this cooler will...in fact you might even consider installing larger blowers in place of the ones you have.

Give us a report...how does it perform now with the 7.4 ? Did the ride angle change ? Have you changed to a different prop pitch ? Any specific problems with the hook ups for anything vs. the 5.7 ? It would be great if you could post a material list of all parts used to perform the swap.

Good luck and keep us posted.
 
I am not sure if that is the peiece i am thinking of... i think that is the "cool fuel" adapter, i think the piece i am talking about is different. Boat angle is pretty much the same - speed and acceleration are much different. I used to run a 21 mirage plus - or a 17 pitch 4 blade (if i was pulling skiers, or at very high altitude) Now i run a 22 pitch bravo 1, 4 blade. Plenty fast for me and i have a great hole shot! At powell i could easily pull a slalom skier out with 9 people in the boat!!!
 
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