3.0 alpha 1 stuck? newb questions

[tubenewb]

Hello all..New to the hobby.. Tinker with automotive stuff...
Still learning about boat motors and drives..Have done some reading here in the forums..
So far I have a stuck motor..Oil in base pan is clean, so far cooling system(excluding manifold) is holding pressure..(cold)

There is water in rear cylinder..suspect /sugested manifold leak..Seems like it has been in the cylinder for a good amount of time..
I had hoped to free it up, but so far no luck..Marvel mystery oil in there for about a week..
Upon further reading here, I have seen it sugested that the drive could be locked up and not the motor...With the water inside i know its probably still the motor, but was hoping it didnt lock it up that badly..
So my first two questions are..

1.
Does the drive have to be removed to check for a locked condition, or can I just spin the prop to check for neutral???

2.
What are some sugestions for soaking the cylinders
So far I have come across Marvel, Penetrating fluids, diesal fuel, brake fluid..

Any help would be greatly appreciated..Ultimately it looks like rebiuld at min..
Just want to be sure of the drive..

it is a 1988 boat, I assume the motor is the same vintage, carb/points

Thanks so much
Chris P.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 3.0 alpha 1 stuck? newb questions

Pull the drive. The upper could be locked up.

Use a 50/50 mixture of acetone and automatic tranny fluid for your penetrant . Its works miracles I swear...

 

[dubs283]

Re: 3.0 alpha 1 stuck? newb questions

one quick way to check for a locked up alpha drive is to remove the four 3/8" 12 point bolts on the top cap (torque on these is 20 lb/ft when reinstalling)

once you remove the cap you will see the upper drive shaft/top cap bearing and race and the upper gear set

hopefully there is plenty of gear lube present and everything appears to be in good/sound condition

keep in mind this is just a quick check and will not allow you to see the condition of the lower gear case or the u-joints and drive shaft assy

the best bet is to remove the entire drive assy and do a complete inspection

 

[tubenewb]

Re: 3.0 alpha 1 stuck? newb questions

Pull the drive. The upper could be locked up.

Use a 50/50 mixture of acetone and automatic tranny fluid for your penetrant . Its works miracles I swear...

I just was inspecting a bit closer, the lower half was off, i guess the shifting is done in that section..So I see now what you say, the upper could be locked and i could spin the prop all day long..
Thank you

one quick way to check for a locked up alpha drive is to remove the four 3/8" 12 point bolts on the top cap (torque on these is 20 lb/ft when reinstalling)

once you remove the cap you will see the upper drive shaft/top cap bearing and race and the upper gear set

hopefully there is plenty of gear lube present and everything appears to be in good/sound condition

keep in mind this is just a quick check and will not allow you to see the condition of the lower gear case or the u-joints and drive shaft assy

the best bet is to remove the entire drive assy and do a complete inspection

Thanks so much guys, helps me understand the drive a bit better now

 

[tubenewb]

Re: 3.0 alpha 1 stuck? newb questions

DRIVE SEEMS OK

Well that was quick enough...I had already had the pistons off trying to frr that mess up..
The shaft and gear apear to be ok..Nice and free, no play (from a quick turn check)
Oh well, guess we have a sad little 3.0..

Thanks so much..Maybe I will give another week of a new solution in the cylinders, after that think its coming out..

UPDATE
might give the 50/50 acetone atf thing a try...But i have put enough pressure on the crank to wreck the dampner .I think it is beyond soaking now..

Thanks again

 

[Danny Mc]

Re: 3.0 alpha 1 stuck? newb questions

You do have it in forward gear don't you?