I have a pre alpha drive, what do I look for when ordering parts?

[thrillhouse700]

According to a website someone on here steered me towards I have a pre alpha stern drive. However when I look for parts I see alpha1, IR, IMR, alpha2< bravo. How do i know which parts to order?

 

[Don S]

Re: I have a pre alpha drive, what do I look for when ordering parts?

Pre-Alpha, is a term used by many that doesn't mean much. Everything before 1986 when the Alpha I came out can be known as a Pre-Alpha. mostly because they came out BEFORE the Alpha I.
Without a SN, it can be VERY hard to figure out exactly what drive you have.
Many times, just knowing the engine and year will help, but not always.

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: I have a pre alpha drive, what do I look for when ordering parts?

Hi don thanks for the reply, The serial number is 4437852. Its got a I6 165hp mercruiser engine. I have been able to find SOME parts based off the serial number but everything else I try to look up says "For sterndrive alpha1, IR, IMR, alpha2 or bravo. So Im not sure what to do here. Sometimes there are 6-8 different parts listed....

 

[myoldboat2]

Re: I have a pre alpha drive, what do I look for when ordering parts?

I think you're going at it the wrong way. You don't want to look at parts and see if they match your drive--you want to use your drive's application guide to determine the Mercruiser part number, then see if the p/n has been superseded, then if you wish see if there are aftermarket parts such as from Sierra. For instance, if you go to this webpage and click on the "Mercury #1 On The Water" image in the middle, then pick Mercruiser, one possible match for your drive s/n is a "120/140 1970-1977, SN -2791957 THRU 4893634" (same as my drive). Choose that, click on the parts category, then use the part's image reference number to get the Merc p/n, then use search, OEM p/n conversion if you wish, then buy from the website of your choice. Maybe similar guides are available here, but I haven't found them.


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[Don S]

Re: I have a pre alpha drive, what do I look for when ordering parts?

then pick Mercruiser, one possible match for your drive s/n is a "120/140 1970-1977, SN -2791957 THRU 4893634" (same as my drive).

Wrong drive, he has an inline 6 not a 4
Here is a parts list that is easier to navigate.
Start at the bottom and scroll up till you get to 165 1970-1977, your serial number is in that range.
http://dougrussell.com/partscatalog/collections/index.cfm?fuseaction=collectdetails&colid=04

 

[thrillhouse700]

Re: I have a pre alpha drive, what do I look for when ordering parts?

Sweet, thanks don and myoldboat!!! This is pretty much what I was looking for. The OEM part number conversion doesn't work tho, Unless i am doing something wrong.

I am still getting two different part numbers for the gimble housing to transom gasket.....
http://dougrussell.com/partscatalog...ckNumberList=6,7,9,8,4,5,10,11,14,12,1,2,3,13

That page #44. This is mostly where I am confused.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: I have a pre alpha drive, what do I look for when ordering parts?

This is from another web page, but it gives you a visual on the two different gaskets available:

If you make yourself a template, you can buy a sheet of good quality cork / rubber gasket material and cut your own.