Ok guys got my lower unit pulled off my upper today. My upper is indeed a alpha and my lower unit is indeed a old r model. It has the preload pin on top of the shaft. Ok first question is is that preload pin on the shaft supposed to push in real easy. I can't push it in. Second question is on my upper where the shift shaft comes through it feels real sloppy in the unit. Is this how it is supposed to be. Again that's on the upper. Third question is on my lower the shift shaft has a flat washer on it. I thought the alpha drives just had this spacer
Also I have my upper off the boat at the same time. I just wanna make sure I'm in forward gear on the lower and upper when going back together correct
Question 1. No, it should be quite firm. You can't push it in with you finger. I usually use a hammer and give it a tap. You'll feel it 'bounce'...
Question 2. Yes. That is the intermediate shift shaft. It splines onto the lower shift shaft in the gear housing (lower box) and is held in the right position by it as the drive slides onto the bell-housing. The top of the intermediate shift shaft locates in the bottom of the upper shift shaft (in the bell-housing) and that's what makes it rotate to give you the gear selection.
Question 3. Over the lower shift shaft should be a rubber washer and a stainless steel washer. If they are not there, then the intermediate shift shaft will slip down and out of the bottom of the upper shift shaft.
Ok, get the gear housing into foward gear by turning the lower shift shaft CW while turning the propshaft CCW. That will allow the dog clutch to fully engage. Don't tip the gear housing backwards or it will slide out of forward gear. Take the drive-shaft housing (upper) and position the intermediate shift shaft so the top of it points straight forward. Lower the upper onto the lower. When it's all done, again turn the propshaft CCW and the shift shaft CW and ensure the top of the shift shaft it facing directly forward. You have the drive in forward, again not allowing it to tip back. Put the control box gear selector in forward and put the drive back on the bell-housing....
Chris..........
