Mercruiser Alpha Gen 1? Gen 2? Or Bravo?

[jbutler67]

Looking for help identifying type of Mercruiser outdrive this is. Alpha Gen 1? Alpha Gen 2? Bravo?

 

[Bt Doctur]

definitely not a GEN II or a Bravo . might be a MR Alpha

 

[jbutler67]

Number on upper unit is 1.32 822756

I’ve been searching trying to identify what it is.

Attached is another picture.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Then I would go with a Alpha1 MR because the 1,32 was used with the GM big block motors in light boats like a 24 BAHA

 

[QBhoy]

It’s defo not an alpha gen 2 or bravo as suggested. Hard to tell because picture has missed out the tell tale signs like trim ram ends and upper drive. The shape of the skeg being rounded would suggest an MR or gen 1. Some of them I’m aware of seemed to be a mix of both. What age is it ? If it’s back to the 70’s you can pretty much be sure it’s an MR. Mid to late 80’s are maybe into the gen 1

 

[Scott Danforth]

with a 1.32:1 ratio, its an alpha behind a big block. that would put it as 1988 or 1989

 

[jbutler67]

Thanks QBhoy and Scott. Here are a few more pictures. Looks like alpha gen 1?

 

[achris]

Could be an Alpha One (1986 to 1991) or an MR (1985).. Which are the same anyway, just marketing wank. (BTW, no such thing as an 'Alpha One Gen I', it's just 'Alpha One'...)

You should be able to read a serial number of it. With that we'd be able to identify it to the year...



Chris........

 

[jbutler67]

Hey Chris. Thanks for clarification about Alpha One. I am new to Merc's.

Serial number in the spot you pointed to is 1.32 822756

 

[achris]

Serial number will be a letter and 6 numbers.... The 1.32 is the ratio...
If you can't see it properly, then it's stamped into the metal under that decal.

Chris......

 

[Fun Times]

What year is the boat this drive is on?

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

 

[achris]

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

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr That term, pre-alpha, again.... HATE IT! It's not a pre-Alpha, it's an MC-1... (Not you Fun Times , that STUPID website!)

 

[Scott Danforth]

guys

I believe the MC-1 and MR had a finned side to the gear housing above the decal, so based on the OP's pics that puts it as an Alpha

the MR drive came in a 1.32:1 ratio behind a 233hp Ford and the MC-1 behind a 250hp V8. however they were not common.

since its a 1.32:1 ratio Alpha one. it was available only for a few years (two I believe - 1988 and 1989) and only on the Alpha one behind the 330hp 454. tooth count is 20/16

the majority of them were installed in SeaRays, with a few in other boats.

 

[achris]

Only the MC1 had the ribbing on the upper housing. The upper housing of R, MR and Alpha One are the same. The lowers for MR and Alpha One are the same and the lower for the R is the same as the MC1.

 

[jbutler67]

Hi all- Thanks so much for your help. The only serial number I found on out drive was the following, which is in the white section on the Mercruiser sticker: 1.32 822756. That did not help me, which is why I started this thread.

I peeled off the Mercruiser sticker on both sides of out drive, looking for a serial number with a letter and 6 numbers. No luck. Nothing imprinted under sticker. No serial number imprinted anywhere on either upper or lower unit.

But, I found the following imprinted on the bell housing: A550024.

A search on that comes up with Mercruiser R / MR / Alpha One.


The boat is a 1986 Rampage 24 with a newer (1999?) Mercruiser V8 engine. Engine serial number is M048938. Engine is midship with a jackshaft to the outdrive.

Thanks again all for your help.

 

[achris]

Quite possible is a replacement housing, so no serial number. The only way to determine between R and MR/Alpha one is the split the drive and look at the top of the lower drive shaft. With a preload pin means R, without means MR/Alpha one...

 

[jbutler67]

Thanks Chris.

Split the drive and look at the top of the lower drive shaft to see if it’s a preload pin or not.