Re: Alpha 1 Water Inlet Dry Rotten/ Trim Sensor Replacement
I usually check parts at a couple of sources til I am comfortable I know which part #s I want. Then I search, e-bay, amazon, google, and some good parts source sites using the #s and the descriptions.
I have been able to score some deals on individual parts and commonly combined packages this way. It takes some time, but it assures you don't over pay.
BTW you also are going to need an alignment bar to check the engine alignment when the drive is off the boat, don't order the bar til you decide whether you also want the gimbal bearing. There are some packages online for those pieces. There are some good tutorials here and on
www.mercstuff.com that will help you cut through the information overload and find what you likely need.
This work isn't crazy hard, but some steps aren't that obvious so the guides are good. I'd recommend getting yourself a long 1/4" extension and a spring type flexing 1/4" extension to make the bellows installation easy. You will also want the shift fork installation guide tool, it's a $3 widget that really eases drive installation when you are putting it back together. You ought to get the drive pivot tool, though some use a 1/2" allen wrench. That is what releases the drive bellhousing from the gimbal ring. If you end up replacing the shift cable there is a long socket to put in the shift cable end onto the bellhousing, I would not buy that. You can replicate it with a 9/16" spark plug socket driven by a second socket to get the extra depth it requires. The spark plug socket has a hex on it's back end which allows the second socket to turn it. You will also need some red Locktite, some Mercruiser Perfect Seal Compound, and some of their grease and lower unit lube. I tried others lubricant but the Mercruiser gear oil really is best, and their grease and gear oil are formulated to handle the marine environment. They cost extra but they are worth the difference.
The water hose from the bellhousing to the transom is a PITA installation, follow the Mercruiser instructions exactly. The hose length must be correct or the hose will kink or pull off. If you follow Mercruiser's method it will come out right.
You can easily get by without the trim guage, many don't work. Once you understand how the boat behaves the guage isn't actually essential because you trim by feel anyway. If you replace the sender(s), that gets done while the bellhousing is off.
Main thing is, follow their sequence. If you replace the senders do them first and be careful to get the wires in the right spot for no pinches.
It's fun work because it leads to time on the water. Enjoy your boat, doing this youself will assure you know it was done right and that you save some major dinero!
