Alpha 1 fittment issue

[klawton55]

I have a 89 Searay 23' with 454 and a alpha 1 outdrive. I pulled the out drive off 2 years ago when putting it away for the winter. I have not had it out since then and tried to put the outdrive back in today. This issue that I am having is the outdrive will not go past the pads for a lack of proper term, see pic. Nothing has changed since it was removed and everything worked well with no issues before removing the lower unit.

Has anyone ever come across this issue before or have any suggestions? I put a tape measure on the gimbal ring part that I am talking about and the width is about 3 5/8", and the lower unit measures 3 1/2". I have no clue how this would have changed just sitting there.

Thanks for any help

 

[wrench 3]

The pads on the upper gear case go inside that part of the gimbal ring. So if the gap is 3 5/8" and the housing is only 3 1/2" it should fit.

 

[alldodge]

pulled the out drive off 2 years ago

My thought is the motor has shifted on it's mounts and the drive will not go in. Break out or go find the alignment tool and see if it's off

 

[klawton55]

Thanks for the replys. Sorry the gap is 3 3/8. I used the alignment tool before installing the outdrive, everything looked good. The outdrive is installed and works fine. I just cannot lower it all the way.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Does it go all the way with the rams removed? were the rams painted with anti-fouling paint?

 

[wrench 3]

Other than corrosion or physical damage to the gimbal ring, I have no idea. Sorry.

 

[alldodge]

DO you think something hit it and bent the ring. According to what I have it should be 3 3/4 spacing, but even with that the 3 1/2 should fit

 

[klawton55]

Yeah I thought about corrosion and took a die grinder pad to the surfaces but that didn't do much. I don't see how something would have bent them, let alone bend them both in. I would think that being cast aluminum they would break or crack if that much force hit them.

Not sure how or what happened. Do you think if i took something like a porta-power and tried to spread it back out it would work? Or just break it?

 

[klawton55]

It does not go all the way with the Rams disconnected. It is the same either way.

 

[wrench 3]

For 3/8" I'd think that it would straighten, but I'd be worried about alignment. You could give it a try and then lower the drive and see if the gaps are even.

 

[alldodge]

No porta power, were missing something. As before, 3 1/2 should have no issue sliding inside 3 5/8.

It's probably something simple but we are missing it

 

[Bt Doctur]

just looked at a Alpha housing and the pads are 3 5/8 ID and 4 5/8 OD

 

[alldodge]

Could you take a pic head on without the drive?