I hit a rock, and blew my drive. How do I know what to relpace it with

[red85k100rs]

I have a 1981 Sea Ray SRV225

It has a Mercruiser 5.7 260hp and a pre Alpha drive.
I was out Sunday in some bad weather and I hit a rock with my out drive. It is toast! One broken shaft, and one twisted one. So I need a replacement.
All I know is it is pre alpha. But from what I have been reading there is 2 or 3 ?pre alpha? drives the MC-1, R and MR is what comes to mind.

How do I know what I am looking at?
Are the 4, 6, 8 cylinder motors using different ratio drives?

There is a guy selling one here local It looks just like mine but he says it is an alpha that was mated to a 4.3. The drive has the eye hole on the top of the drive. So it can't be alpha one ? can it?

Thanks for any info

 

[Bondo]

Re: I hit a rock, and blew my drive. How do I know what to relpace it with

All I know is it is pre alpha. But from what I have been reading there is 2 or 3 “pre alpha” drives the MC-1, R and MR is what comes to mind.

Ayuh,.... Any of those, 'n the Alpha 1 will bolt on, 'n run....

You need 1 in the 1.50:1 gear ratio,... the others won't work well, at all...

The SEI brand new replacements are the wise money spent...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: I hit a rock, and blew my drive. How do I know what to relpace it with

Normally the "trailering hook eye" on the top cap indicates a #1 drive. (there is no such thing as pre-alpha) You will need a 1.50 ratio drive, which normally only came from V8's. Look at SEI for new replacement drives, as they are far cheaper than Mercruiser and have a great reputation. They run around $1300 or so I believe, and come with a 3 year warranty.

 

[red85k100rs]

Re: I hit a rock, and blew my drive. How do I know what to relpace it with

Ayuh,.... Any of those, 'n the Alpha 1 will bolt on, 'n run....

Thanks Bond-o!!

If I were to use an Alpha one what would need to change? Bellows, transom mounts etc.?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: I hit a rock, and blew my drive. How do I know what to relpace it with

Thanks Bond-o!!

If I were to use an Alpha one what would need to change? Bellows, transom mounts etc.?

No... bolt on and run it

Here are some charts with your ratios: click to enlarge them