change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

[wlas]

A friend gave me a bravo drive, it's a bravo one. thats in very good condition and I would like to change them out if at all possible . Mine is a 5.7 GM. any thoughts on this ?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

You will need an engine mounted raw water impeller pump... oh, and everything else. Transom plate, gimbal housing, and gimbal ring. It's a big project. What are you hoping to gain? Unless you have a highly modified 5.7, the Alpha drive will handle it just fine. No real need for a Bravo 1.

 

[180shabah]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

Agreed, unless you are throwing some big hp at it, there is no need for the bravo. It is heavier and larger(more drag) than the alpha.

Like mentioned, you still need about $3000-3500 in additional parts. On the plus side, all of the holes in your transom are in the right places.

 

[wlas]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

The reason I am thinking about it is, now that the water temp is coming up and with a full closed cooling system, my engine temp is coming up. I was wondering if by using the bravo one and mounting a engine driven water pump, I could use the bravo leg as a pick up for the water pump instead of a hole in the hull for a pick up, or is it possible that I could use the alpha leg without the pump in it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

Ayuh,... An Alpha, Gen.II should be able to pump Plenty of water for Closed cooling...

 

[180shabah]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

Ayuh,... An Alpha, Gen.II should be able to pump Plenty of water for Closed cooling...

IIRC - the flow spec is 18 gpm

wlas - are you seriously suggesting that it would be better to replace the drivetrain rather than maintain what you have? Water pumps need annual maintanance, doesn't matter if it in the drive or mounted to the engine, you still have to do it.

 

[wlas]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

I just put a new water pump in this spring. and when I put the full closed cooling system in, which I got from San Juan engineering they told me that the Alpha one should be ok, but thought the bravo pump would be better. I may have picked up some sea weed or something and should maybe clean the heat exchanger next the be sure. Its been working just fine until a week or so ago when my alarm went off and I had to back the throttle off to 3300 to keep the temp back down, which it went right down to where it normlly runs.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

Well, an overheat on a closed system that was working properly does not require the change of the entire drive system. Fix what you have, it's probably a very simple solution.

 

[180shabah]

Re: change alpha one gen II to a Bravo one

OK - time to back up and get some history here. How old old (actual age and hours used) is the engine that you added the FWC system to? Was it a previous fresh or salt water engine? Are you in fresh or salt water now? How old are the manifolds AND risers/elbows? Do you frequently run in the "fast idle" range where the vibration occours, or did you just do it this time as a result of the other problem? Do you have "known good" prop? Replacing one bad prop with another bad prop only confuses people.

Also, when was the last complete tune-up?