Converting engine from Bravo setup to Alpha setup
 

Considering repowering my boat with a 350 MAG MPI. I know these where typically used in a bravo applications. What would need to be changed to make it work with an alpha setup, I know the engine driven impeller needs removed but is there anything else that needs changed? What's the best way to delete the bravo style impeller without screwing up the belt routing?

I would leave the belt driven raw water pump on the engine and remove the impeller from the Alpha's pump. It's a much larger and better pump than the Alpha pump.

oh, convert engine, not boat. the easiest way is to use the brackets, alt, pwr steering from your old motor. I assume it is also small block. is your current engine MPI? if boat is not MPI, did engine come complete with ecu and harness? otherwise swapping to your carb is easiest way to go. if you run the bravo raw pump, the hose from the transom to pump MUST be changed. it will suck an alpha hose flat. they are not made to handle suction.

I didn't realize that was an option, makes things much easier. Does the inlet hose need changed for that to work properly?

Why not keep the bravo and have a bullet proof setup?

^^^I thought the same...but now thinking he has an alpha on the boat already and is putting in the 350MPI. The 350 MPI came with Bravo equipped boats.

correct. I currently have a carb 350 mag and alpha gen 2. Don't want fool with changing the drive out but would like to swap the engine to 350 MAG MPI.

Okay, did some digging, the 350MPI's could come with Alpha's.

Looking at pic below,For Bravo equipped, #27 hose is from transom to Bravo sea water pump. #26 is from Bravo sea water pump to the inlet of oil cooler.
Direct link with part #'s, prices, and the diagram: Genuine Mercury & Mercruiser parts. STANDARD COOLING SYSTEM

For Alpha's, since these drives have pump in the drive and do not use a engine belt driven sea ater pump, #10 is hose from transom assembly to front of oil cooler.

I'll look for belt difference between Bravo and Alpha in a minute.

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Merc/...MMON/35471.gif

Okay, on Genuine Mercury & Mercruiser parts. WATER PUMP AND FRONT COVER they list 3 different belts. 1 is for Alpha and 1 is for Bravo and why a 3rd ? However, it doesn't say which belt is for what drive.

Cruising thru other look-ups:
Loks like #57-861758A1 is for the Alpha equipped.
Looks like #57-861757A1 is for the Bravo equipped.
Looks like #57-861049A2 is for 4.3L v6 boats...why this is on that page as an option I don't know.

So....I did this quickly and it's your boat not mine, so please do your homework still and don't 100% go by what I found.

most definitely. Thanks for the help. You got me going in the right direction.