Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

[StevenT]

I just pulled the OMC engine mount-power steering plate and found this poor attempt by a PO (I would certainly think this is not a factory cut out) to make a drive hole in the transom. It is an Alpha One drive. I was planning on using Frisco's method of drawing a cut out pattern for my new transom. Is there a template available? Any suggestions?

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[dubs283]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

the through transom cut-out holes are the same for OMC and mercruiser

if you want, re-glass the transom and cut out a new hole

otherwise, that one will work fine

 

[StevenT]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

the through transom cut-out holes are the same for OMC and mercruiser

if you want, re-glass the transom and cut out a new hole

otherwise, that one will work fine

My concern is if I use the old cutout pattern, I have the bolt holes totally not centered corecrtly. I have never did this before. I just have a hard time with some of the mounting bolts in the pictures on the starboard side barley catching wood. while the holes on the port side are drilled through the full thickness of the transom. Is this how the factory installers cut and drill these?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

Ayuh,.... It's atad sloppy, but I've seen worse, from the factory...

 

[StevenT]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

Ayuh,.... It's atad sloppy, but I've seen worse, from the factory...

Wow! I know they build these in speed mode for profitabilty, I didn't realize it was this bad. Guys like you with your experience have seen worse wow. I appreciate your help and knowledge. I will be making adjustments to my key hole cut out when I trace out this existing pattern. Thanks again.

 

[achris]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

That's pretty appalling.. I'd do what Dubs suggested, glass it up and start again. There is a special tool for the cut-out, it also has hole-saw centre for the steering arm cut-outs.

Even if you elect not to re-glass, at least pull that thing out and glass up the open transom structure. There's plenty of water gets in that area and with open wood like that, rot will not be far away...

Chris.........

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

WOW!!! How did they even get the seal to work.

 

[StevenT]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

That's pretty appalling.. I'd do what Dubs suggested, glass it up and start again. There is a special tool for the cut-out, it also has hole-saw centre for the steering arm cut-outs.

Even if you elect not to re-glass, at least pull that thing out and glass up the open transom structure. There's plenty of water gets in that area and with open wood like that, rot will not be far away...

Chris.........

Chris or anyone else.. do you know what that tool is called?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Installing Alpha drive on new transom - Need Help Please

http://www.mercstuff.com/transomfixture.htm