Alpha One Gen II - bell housing bushing/seals - updated design?

[ShoalSurvivor]

I ordered replacement bushing/seals kit for my A1G2 drive - part 23-806036A1, which I found in multiple parts diagrams.

I've seen a number of videos explaining that the upper bushing/seals were poorly designed and has been replaced with part: 805041A2 (with the extended seals housing):

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Service manual #14 indicates that I should use the original design, but I wanted to verify. Should I have ordered this part instead? is it interchangeable between alpha one and A1Gen II?

My Drive Info:
Drive SN: 0L192679 (model # 5121300LS)
Transom SN: 0L517680 (model # 611001LS)
SN on original Docs: L430356 (model # 5121400LS)
(not sure why docs are different from drive label; perhaps drive was replaced. dunno)

All three pull up as "ALPHA ONE (GEN.II) 1998 AND UP",
using catalog "[0L100040 & Up] - Cat.# 90-80975998"

 

[Fun Times]

Being your serail number is 0L517680 which is above 0F094775 you still have ordered an updated design kit that will work just fine as checking over all the parts catalogs, it shows to use 23-806036A1 vs the older design 23-805041A2 that at one point was a new design in both 1991 and 1998.

Hover the mouse arrow over the notes of item number 6 for serial number suggested fitment,

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Here's the 2-seal design info when it came about as the original single seal types leaked often back then and a 2-seal system is just usually better overall where possible,
https://www.crowleymarine.com/sb/2/2948 = NEW OIL SEAL BUSHING FOR BELL HOUSING SMC-91-25 / 23-MAR-1998.

The following links offers good info when regarding the two fitments if you scroll through everything inside,

Shift Shaft Bushing Kit – Fits MerCruiser Alpha One Gen II Sterndrive (Replaces 23-806036A1)

JLM Marine Shift Shaft Bushing Kit for MerCruiser Alpha One Gen II sterndrive. Replaces 23-806036A1; fits models from 1991+, SN F094775 and up.

jlmmarine.com

Click the parts images for more reading info too,

Search: 3 results found for "805041A2"

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In the end, you're good either way you go now as the very early seals where the cause of needed changes.

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

In the end, you're good either way you go now as the very early seals where the cause of needed changes.

Perfect. Thank you!

Now the more important question - should I replace the bushings, or just the seals?
There is no "slop" in the shift shaft. The seal definitely needs to be replaced. I suppose it is possible that the worn, corroded, and hardened seal could be preventing "slop", but I couldn't tell without trying out the new seals.

Is replacing the bushing required with seal replacement, recommended, or only if needed?

I have about 300 hours on the engine/drive.

 

[ShoalSurvivor]

Now the more important question - should I replace the bushings, or just the seals?

never mind. While removing the seals, I found corrosion in the insides of the bushings.

knocked them right out. Way easier than inexpected.