How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

[MooseHootie]

We took my brothers boat out this weekend. Hand held GPS read 68 mph. 454 chevy, bravo drive coupler. Engine only turning 4200 rpms with a 14" x 21 pitch prop.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

May as well schedule for the rebuild now so they have the parts ready for you.Charlie

 

[bluewater19]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Speed is not the issue. The amount of HP/torque the drive can handle is.<br />They put that drive behind a 300hp mag mpi small block and my friend has one that runs well over 65 mph. His boat is only 19ftlong and very light.<br />I think that any big block making more than 300hp and having gobs of torque like big blocks do might not be the best thing in front of an alfa!<br />Good luck

 

[Bondo]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

I think that any big block making more than 300hp and having gobs of torque like big blocks do might not be the best thing in front of an alfa!

Yep..........<br />Mercruiser Only did it for 2 years........<br /><br />If you want to Spin that BBC to 5000rpms.........<br />The Alpha will Take the Rs,<br />But, Not the Torque....................

 

[DJ]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

I thought he said he had a Bravo.<br /><br />The Bravo can take it.

 

[bluewater19]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

bravo drive coupler

 

[Bondo]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

If I remember right,<br />They Blew Up the Alpha Coupler......<br />Must have installed the Bravo Coupler,<br />Thinking it's Stronger........................ <br /><br />I Think the Brothers are in for a Surprize........<br />And,<br />It's going to be Expensive............

 

[Dhadley]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Somebody needs to get them Imco's phone number.

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Same alpha drive in boat from 1987. Has been rebuilt 2 times. Never broke anything just wearing gear teeth. Boat has been 82 mph turning 5400 rpms. Boat is a 1987 checkmate senator.

 

[wvit100]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

A guy I know with a Wellcraft has a 454 with an Alpha I. He is on this third outdrive now. The teeth on the gears seem to break off. This last time one of the broken teeth got wedged in the gears and stopped the transmission, the verticle shaft broke in half and knocked a hole the size of your fist in the casing.

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

A alpha drive is only 1500 right ? I can afford to buy one each week.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Wow,you must really be loaded to be able to afford an alpha a week.I guess that explains the 17 year old boat.You two must really be dangerous when you put your heads together.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Originally posted by MooseHootie:<br />A alpha drive is only 1500 right ? I can afford to buy one each week.

If you can do that why not just get a Bravo?

 

[LubeDude]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

You should at least use a good synthetic gear lube if you arnt already. But yes, why not get a stronger outdrive?

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

For crazy charlie. I work for the military full time,they just give money away. The boat is my brothers. I have two. I thought about bolting in a bravo drive, there would not be any fun in fixing anything if you could not break it. I drag race cars, it cost 3,000 a month to keep them going. When you blow up a engine or a transmission you have fun putting it all back together. Plus everyone at the drag track loves to break parts in front of thousands of people. Big fires are also impressive.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Anyone here familiar with the HQ coupling? And don't worry Moosehootie, if it has gears it can be broke...

 

[Bondo]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Going to the 1.32/1 Gears will Help......<br />But, It's Not a Cure.......

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Thanks Bondo You give very good advice and are not a smart A** like some people on this site.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Bondo, Never had to dig in far enough to find this out but do the mercruiser outdrives use a spring loaded flywheel coupling or a vulcanized coupling?

 

[Bondo]

Re: How fast is too fast for a alpha 1

Rubber............