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Mercury Mercruiser Outdrive Sterndrive Identification on a houseboat

by Dave
(Davenport, IA)

An older generation Mercury sterndrive

An older generation Mercury sterndrive

We are trying to identify the Mercury or Mercruiser sterndrive that is on the houseboat. The boat is a 1970 or so Gibson 36 with a Mercruiser 225HP 302 motor in it. The out drive needs to be replaced due to electrolysis and so here we go...


First things first though. What is the outdrive currently on it?? It's marked Mercury, but thats all I have to go on.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, Dave from Davenport, IA

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Reply - Answer


Well, Dave, congratulations on posting your photos and question in the houseboat forums.

In the early days of Mercruiser, the outdrives were labelled MERCURY with not much else on the outdrive. I am going to say it is one of the "1st generation" Alpha outdrives, but I could be mistaken.

Surely, some of our readers and visitors will share and post comments about their houseboat and MERCURY & MERCRUISER related experiences and tips.

Feel free to use the "click here to post comments" link found near the bottom of this page.

Thanks again for sharing, IAN from All About Houseboats

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Comments for Mercury Mercruiser Outdrive Sterndrive Identification on a houseboat

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Updating a TR drive
by: Anonymous

I have a TR drive on my Fjord 24 running through a velvet drive auto trans. Is there a later drive that will fit the TR gimbal mount.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Great news today 🤑🤑
by: Joe

Hello to all excited bought a 47 ft drifter house boat .going Thur the entire boat so after having boat taken home I started the list I was seeming uppers and lowers . All over but not like mine getting puzzled now . I called a boat transport company that was said to have lots of parts so happy me calls and chats almost at the ending I stated so you have plenty of units oh yes . Well I'm glad I did say something wish I didn't I stated mine has a lifting hook built into upper housing mr r stated yes you have a earlier year. . Them hi price to tell him about the water grate on the upper .you wood have thought he won a new boat but with in seconds I was frowning .at that split second I new joe you have a gift for special gifts he stated you sitting don I'll no the rest Tommrow mr r called it a number 3 type unit is any body familiar with that I may bee needing a lower foot thanks
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mercury 225
by: Louie

It is difficult to tell from your pictures, but if the drive seems larger than most other Mercruiser drives you have seen, it is a TR model.

These are heavy duty drives that were used for racing and also for houseboats and large cruisers. Parts can be very hard to find.

The corrosion seen on your drive is the weak spot for TR drives and very typical. Try Ebay for parts. Good luck!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Let your fingers do the walking
by: Anonymous

Check out the internet:

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/
https://www.sterndrive.cc/

I found these in a few minutes.
I'm sure there are tons more.

Good Hunting
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Old outdrive
by: Captain Ray

It should have a transmission ahead of it. It is an old direct drive mercuiser. No shifting in outdrive.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mercruiser stern drive ID
by: Cleve Turner

The stern drive pictured is a Mercury/Mercruiser TR/TRS stern drive. My guess is that it is mated to a Mercury MercTrans II electric shift transmission (trans could also be cable shift.

KC Marine in Bellingham Washington has the world supply of these stern drives, transmissions and repair parts.

Lots of older fishing boats in the Pacific Northwest have this combo. My 1975 Gibson 42 had two of these.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Mercruiser drive
by: Kenton

That appears to be a TRS outdrive. It will have a transmission behind the engine and there are no shifting components in the drive itself.
Hope that helps.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Time for an upgrade
by: Anonymous

Tough to tell from the pics, but I'd guess either an MC-1 or an R drive.

In any case, if you've got the budget, upgrade to an Alpha. The early drives had brittle shafts that don't take much to shear, leaving you stranded. Ask me how I know...
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Customer Service
by: Dennis R.

I’ve had very good experiences talking directly with Mercruiser Customer Service

www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/contact/mercruiser-customer-assistance

There’s an online form or a phone number to contact them directly. I’ve always found the folks at Mercury more than eager to help in anyway possible.

Here’s the phone number: 920-929-5040.

Good Luck!

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