info on alpha one

ryan04

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 26, 2005
Messages
212
hi guy's I just bought a bayliner with an alpha one outdrive and 3.o alpha one engine. Is there anything I need to know to keep this thing in perfect running condition? Any weird history with these motors? It's a 1991. thanks
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Aug 31, 2004
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62,321
Re: info on alpha one

While you may have a 91 boat, that does not mean you have a 91 outdrive and engine.
91 was a big changeover year for Mercruiser drives, what is the SN of your out drive? It could be eiither an Alpha I or an Alpha I Gen II drive.

AlphaSNratiostamps-1.png
 

ryan04

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 26, 2005
Messages
212
Re: info on alpha one

I can't get to the boat for a couple more days but I do have pics that I was able to zoom in on the serial number of the outdrive. I wasn't able to see any other numbers probably from the angle of the pic the serial number that was on there was 00537618, it was also written on the engine cover that said Alpha one.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: info on alpha one

If that serial number is 0D537618 that makes it a Gen II. But if it's 0B537618 then it's an Alpha one. We really need to know what that second character is. It will be a letter.

Chris.........
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Re: info on alpha one

You may want to check, but I think that SN is actually 0D537618 instead of 00.
If that is the case, it is an Alpha I Gen II outdrive.
You need Service manual #14 for the outdrive, and Service manual #13 for the Engine.
You can download them both from the link below.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/srvcovr.pdf

As far as maintenance goes, if you don't have any history or knowledge of the maintenance done on the engine and outdrive, I would suggest you start from scratch, do a full tuneup, oil and filter change, fuel filter change.
On the drive, change the gear lube, while you have it drained, you should replace the raw water pump impeller.
I would also replace the ujoint bellows. A hole in it will allow water into the outdrive, and the ujoints and gimbal bearing. Might want to look on ebay for an alignment bar also. You need to check the alignment at least once a year.

You can also download a 2001 owners manual at the link below.
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/srvcovr.pdf
While newer, the engine and drive is almost identical to todays model.

Chris is right about the SN, but one thing, the 0B number would be for a 1986 drive on a Mercruiser 165 (470) which is also the wrong gear ratio.
The 0D number goes to a 91 Bayliner with a 3.0L ............. Like you have.
 

ryan04

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 26, 2005
Messages
212
Re: info on alpha one

"D" was the letter on the outdrive. So I guess it's a gen 2, thanks for the info and the manual download. The boat was fully serviced and winterized at a proper marie shop, and checked out perfect. So that being said, are there any little quarks with this package?
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: info on alpha one

Is there anything I need to know to keep this thing in perfect running condition?
in yer new service manual. ya will find a maint. schedual of things ya need to service and when........ following that schedual is a real good start on keepin things tip top.......
 

ryan04

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 26, 2005
Messages
212
Re: info on alpha one

there's nothing at that link but a sign that says mercruiser service index. There are no pages to download anything. Is there any other links?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Re: info on alpha one

Remember back when i said;

You need Service manual #14 for the outdrive, and Service manual #13 for the Engine.
You can download them both from the link below.

Go to that link, when the page opens, on the left side there is a line of numbers......................... is that a hint????
Did you click the numbers??????
After you do, search for other links.
 

ryan04

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 26, 2005
Messages
212
Re: info on alpha one

sorry, i tried the link again and there is only one number at the bottom of the sign that says 1 and you can't click on it, I scrolled all over the page looking for something to click on but there is nothing there to click on at all, just a title and that's all the page is blank white no nothing anywhere else on the page.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: info on alpha one

maybe the bookmarks ain't opening for whatever reason. the 2nd pic down on the left ( a pic of some paper) will open acrobat bookmarks.... the numbers dons is talkin about are in them bookmarks....

go to acrobat.com or whatever it is. and get the latest 8.0 version of acrobat too...
 

BryanO

Recruit
Joined
Dec 1, 2007
Messages
5
Re: info on alpha one

None of those bookmarks are the full manual. They are just cover pages and table of contents on some. Unless I'm missing something.

By the way, first post. I've been lurking here for a while now.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Messages
62,321
Re: info on alpha one

Geez, once you get to the table of contents, just scroll your cursor over the page and find the links.
If you click on the section LETTER you want, it will open each section.
Or better yet, buy the book.
 

BryanO

Recruit
Joined
Dec 1, 2007
Messages
5
Re: info on alpha one

Thank you Don for your polite response. That helped me figure out what I was doing wrong.

I have already bought the books and am waiting for them to be delivered.

I just wanted something to look over in the mean time.

Thanks.
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: info on alpha one

Thank you Don for your polite response.

Welcome to Iboats Bryan. I don't know if you meant that as sarcastic or not, but since you've been lurking awhile, you know that response IS Don's polite response! ;) :D
 

BryanO

Recruit
Joined
Dec 1, 2007
Messages
5
Re: info on alpha one

Welcome to Iboats Bryan. I don't know if you meant that as sarcastic or not, but since you've been lurking awhile, you know that response IS Don's polite response! ;) :D



That gave me a good laugh. Yeah, I was just trying to goof around with Don. At least he didn't ream me out for having a brain fart. Lol.

Thanks for the welcome.
 
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