Opinions on 1989 bravo one
 

Looking at buying a 1989 bravo one came with 454/330 (7.4/v8 bravo on air cleaner) is there any problems with an early bravo?
Anything to be aware of or look out for? Pros/cons? All opinions welcome.
Thanks in advance

Ok let's re-word, are there any differences in bravo 1's as related to production dates?
Thanks

If I recall the bullet shape was somewhat different and said not to be as hydrodynamically efficient as the newer style. It was reported the first 4 or 5 years of the Bravo's to market seemed to work better with a good nose cone added, if I recall correctly.

Also the older Bravo units seemed to hold up a lot better against higher hp engine apps than the current ones. The past 10 - 15 year old Bravo's surely have been weaker internally. Somewhere in that timeframe they just do not hold up as well as the older units.

Bup, thank you for sharing your knowledge, i am looking at acquiring a donner boat 1989 with 454/330 bravo 1.
I need to replace my 454/330 alpha. I know about the short commings of the engine, and did not want to get a drive that again will not hold up to power. My near term goal is to put about 500 hp in front of it. Again any info greatly appericiated.

The older bravos do not have the bilge mounted rive oil rez. either

I was told the oil line from the drive to inside of the boat has a leak (corroded-weathered) and the alarm will go off after a short time. Does this indicate a bilge mounted reservoir?
IS THE LACK OF OIL REZ A PROBLEM?

Are U sure this is a 1989 Bravo set with the Res and Alarm. I want to say that came into play around 1991 or 92.

Used boat owner has no real idea about boats, don't really know. How would i tell short of s/n?

I looked on boats.net for 1989 bravo exploded parts diagram and they show the bravo for that year comes with either round or square rez??

I think it was for an add on kit for the balck production engines until 1991 it became standard equipment. As I said I do not think the alarm was there in 1989 but came around in 91 or 92.

Year - get the last 4 of the HIN of the hull and the serial # for engine and drive. Just in case something was changed out thru the years.

I think that back then there were two versions of the B1, a magnum and standard. The magnum came behind the 454 and 502 mag motors, the standard behind the 330/310 and small blocks. This is probably the latter.

Ok I found that I have stored thru Mercruiser The Bravo history book that tells everything straight about their Bravo products from the start in 1988 thru 2005.

Bravo 1 for 1988 and 1989 - the 2 gear oil reservoirs was an add on and the easy add on to connect was to mount / screw the oil line into the vent hole plug in the upper. For 1988 and 1989 they had NO gear lube passages in the driveshaft housing or the bell housing. They had oil dip stick in the upper top cap. They drained the gear oil front lower bullet.

1990 here is where I was talking about the hydro dynamics of it. - 1990 "bravo 1 received streamline gearcase - strut moved forward 2 inches" this offered better hydo dynamics.
1990- Bravo 1 drain plug was now in the rear of the propshaft carrier this new carrier is called C2 carrier - Mercruiser terms
1990 Bravo 1 gear lube was added along with the correct oil passages thru the driveshaft housings and transom assemblies.
1990 bravo 1 dipstick totally removed from the top cap cover in the upper.

If I had to say - the 1993 bravo outdrive was probable the strongest OEM STOCK OUT OF THE BOX outdrive made by them.FWIW.

I am glad I found this Bravo history info thru mercruiser stored on my puter. I would not have looked if it wasn't for your post.

Bup you da man! Heres a rookie bravo question all bravo lowers will bolt to 1989 bravo 1 upper correct?
As far as hydrodynamics i was thinking bobs machine bigfoot cone, any thoughts anybody.
If you think you are glad you found this i bet there are many others including me you did as well.
Thank you

Will my x dim change going from alpha to bravo?

These early models did not have the plastic wear plates. Check to see if the gimbal ring has rubbed the housing. I just repaired them on both my drives. Takes a lot of time welding and grinding.

1bigjim, not sure what you mean. Please explane.
Thanks

1995 Bravo units added the plastic thrust wear pads on the sides of the outdrive. These plastic wear pads helped the inner gimbal ring portion from wearing and or wear grooves in the lower inner ear portion of the gimbal ring.

Plastic pads much like the alpha's use. This drive is comming from light weight boat 454/330 driven fairley easy, i'm guessing.
Anybody know about any propshaft heigth diff. Upgrading from alpha to bravo?

BUP, REGARDING THE REZ HERE IS WHAT THE GUY WROTE TO ME " Gearlube monitor exterior oil line will need to be replaced (leaking). " DOES THAT HELP YOU DATE THE DRIVE?

sounds like a 1988 or 1989 as he says exterior line leaking. It would be my guess as I do not have my eyes on it nor any HIN or serial #'s to validate year.

Same boat from alpha to bravo 1 change over. the test showed the bravo to be 1 to 2 mph slower across the board. Propshaft heights are the same. FWIW.

Nice piece of info here .

John you still looking for a pair of sea strainers ? Text me and we will do some horse trading

Ok bought the boat for bravo drive how nice of them to throw the 454 in the package for $400 unfortunally they did come with the complete boat. Ran, shifted everything seemed good, even took for test ride.
It does have a square rez in the bilge for drive, has a line from bottom out inner transom platr starboard of drive bellow that enters the upper housing no visable dipstick and does have a shield around the lower and gimble at the bottom where the drive tucks inside the gimble. Serial # tag has no number stamped on it. I will clean better in the light and verify.
Any new ideas as to age?