Alpha 1 Gen 2 to Gen 1 Transom swap?

[cubester]

Greetings all,

I have a '97 Maxum 1750. 3.0l Mercruiser with a Gen 2 outdrive. I've cracked my gimbal ring and gimbal bell on my Gen 2 transom. I've been looking for parts, and I was told that I could swap the entire Gen 2 transom for a Gen 1 transom, and my Gen 2 outdrive and 3.0l motor will line up without a hitch. Is there any truth to that? Has anyone tried it?

Thanks,
Cube

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 to Gen 1 Transom swap?

No truth to that. Gen 1 and Gen 2 are about as different as an Alpha is to a Bravo. I doubt many, if any, have tried it, since a Gen 2 is an improvement over the Gen 1 in every way.

 

[cubester]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 to Gen 1 Transom swap?

I picked up a Gen 1 assembly from a buddy. I'll take a stab at it tomorrow. If it works I'll be surprised....My boat's in pieces anways.

Cube

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 to Gen 1 Transom swap?

Why did you even bother asking if you had no intention of listening???

We all know how its gonna turn out...

 

[xltier]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 to Gen 1 Transom swap?

I picked up a Gen 1 assembly from a buddy. I'll take a stab at it tomorrow. If it works I'll be surprised....My boat's in pieces anways.

Cube

just look at the shifter linkage at the bottom of the bell.cant work.

 

[cubester]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 to Gen 1 Transom swap?

So with a day or looking and then a day of doing I was able to build a part that works.

As i mentioned my Gen 2 had a broken gimbal ring and bell. I decided that instead of trying to convert everything I would just switch those 2 parts and modify them as req'd. The Gen 1 ring and bell fit the Gen 2 housing without a hitch. Slight differences in materials but otherwise all the same.

The ring had to be modfied to allow the wider Gen 2 outdrive. I trimmed the bottom guides of the Gen 1 ring back and then grinded the inside to widen it out. As for the bell, I simply made a bushing/spacer and used the Gen 2 shift arm and installed it into the Gen 1 bell. Bit of zinc and black paint and Bob's ur uncle.

I'll attach photo's when I upload my camera. To summerize with a free Gen 1 assembly and some extra time it can be made to work.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha 1 Gen 2 to Gen 1 Transom swap?

I'll attach photo's when I upload my camera. To summerize with a free Gen 1 assembly and some extra time it can be made to work.

My father has said the same thing about a Gen 2 to a Bravo. And I'm glad it worked for you.

But think about this, Alpha Gen 1 was replaced by the Alpha One Gen 2 for a reason. The main reason being that it's better/stronger/lasts longer/has a better water pump impeller. So what you've done is downgraded your boat. While it may work for you, I question whether it will last. I mean you aren't going to break the drive with a 3.0, BUT you already broke your "Bigger" gimbal ring and bell once. Now you have a smaller/weaker ones that you "modified". I hope it holds up for you. Best of luck.