1999 Mercruiser 5.0 L 8 Cylinder not engaging

[jvaulter]

Upgraded to a bigger 1999 Mercruiser 5.0 L 8 Cylinder engine with an alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive on it.
Took it out the other day and while cruising along the wide open when the prop stopped spinning and I heard a grinding noise start. Further inspecting it at the dock I had the engine off and put into gear and the prop spins both ways. With the engine on and running the prop shaft is not spinning on the prop either which leads me to believe it is not the hub. I am hoping its a lower unit grinding and just needs to be replaced not something within the engine itself. Has anyone had this happen to them? I wanted to get some input to make sure its not an easy fix on my end before I take it in.

 

[Scott Danforth]

first, welcome aboard

second, what maintenance did you do? or didnt do?

from your post, you most likely lost the gears in the drive. which usually means needing a whole new drive.

 

[nola mike]

Upgraded to a bigger 1999 Mercruiser 5.0 L 8 Cylinder engine with an alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive on it.
Took it out the other day and while cruising along the wide open when the prop stopped spinning and I heard a grinding noise start. Further inspecting it at the dock I had the engine off and put into gear and the prop spins both ways. With the engine on and running the prop shaft is not spinning on the prop either which leads me to believe it is not the hub. I am hoping its a lower unit grinding and just needs to be replaced not something within the engine itself. Has anyone had this happen to them? I wanted to get some input to make sure its not an easy fix on my end before I take it in.

Welcome. Sounds like you grenaded your outdrive. Drain the gear oil, look for chunks of metal. Remove the cap at the top of the outdrive to get a look at your upper gears. Could be the coupler also; see if the shaft coming from the engine turns when you turn the prop. BTW, '99 should have a gen 2 unless somebody did some major regressive work on it.

 

[jvaulter]

Thank you!
I did all the maintenance: oil, power steering, etc for the engine. For the outdrive the only thing I have not recently done is the gear lube. However I did recently get another alpha 1 outdrive (convenient if so). If i need a whole new drive I should replace the whole thing or is it worth my time to get a rebuild kit? Thank you @Scott Danforth

 

[jvaulter]

Welcome. Sounds like you grenaded your outdrive. Drain the gear oil, look for chunks of metal. Remove the cap at the top of the outdrive to get a look at your upper gears. Could be the coupler also; see if the shaft coming from the engine turns when you turn the prop. BTW, '99 should have a gen 2 unless somebody did some major regressive work on it.

Thank you I will take a look at this and get back to guys!

 

[Scott Danforth]

If i need a whole new drive I should replace the whole thing or is it worth my time to get a rebuild kit?

the cost of the parts and the tools required to set up a drive far exceed the cost of a brand new drive.

if you grenaded the drive, the bits and chunks go thru the whole drive making it a box of broken bits.

 

[Lou C]

yep, unless you have the tools and are familiar with setting up differentials and gearboxes, you're not rebuilding one of those. Its way beyond the skill set of most do it yourselfers.

 

[Bondo]

Thank you!
I did all the maintenance: oil, power steering, etc for the engine. For the outdrive the only thing I have not recently done is the gear lube. However I did recently get another alpha 1 outdrive (convenient if so). If i need a whole new drive I should replace the whole thing or is it worth my time to get a rebuild kit? Thank you @Scott Danforth

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,..... I'm thinkin' the one thing ya didn't do, got ya where you are,.....

This used drive ya got,.... What motor was in front of it,..??
That'll tell ya if it's the right gear ratio for yer motor,....

 

[jvaulter]

Thank you guys! It was exactly the outdrive that grenade it itself got it all replaced now! Runs great did all of the maintenance as well!