Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

[pvmtsux]

So I've been on here the last couple of days reading about people who have cracked their lower units and used JB Weld, TIG welding, and just replacing the thing all together as fixes for this seemingly "common" problem. I wanted to see what the opinions out there were for my lower unit that has a pretty nasty crack and leaking drive fluid. If I JB Weld the crap out of it will it hold up? Can this be TIG welded? Should I just be replacing it? I'm a little tight on cash so replacement is a last resort. I've attached a couple photos.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

That case needs replaced!

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

Fill the crack up with bubble gum and wrap sum duct tape around the sumbtch But seriously...IMHO u r screwed You are welcome for my helpful opinion

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

Can just the case be replaced and the gears transfered or will I need to buy a lower that comes with my gearing ratio (1.81)? There seems to be no damage to the prop shaft or gears and there is no vibration in the drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

You can just replace the housing, as long as you get the correct part number. You will then have to get your bearings and gears reshimmed to the new case. That is not a DIY job, as it requires special tools for shimming.
A new SEI lower unit will cost about $700 from here at iboats.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

You can just replace the housing, as long as you get the correct part number. You will then have to get your bearings and gears reshimmed to the new case. That is not a DIY job, as it requires special tools for shimming.
A new SEI lower unit will cost about $700 from here at iboats.

What is SEI? Are you saying that just the housing is $700 or housing with gears? The only outdrive lower I saw on iboats with my gear ratio was over $1300.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

What is SEI? Are you saying that just the housing is $700 or housing with gears? The only outdrive lower I saw on iboats with my gear ratio was over $1300.

Ayuh,... SEI is an aftermarket drive, Ei; Not Mercruiser...
The Complete new drive is $1300... Not just the Lower unit...
Btw,.. The Upper unit controls the Ratio,... Lowers are all the same...
It's $700. Complete...
Mercruiser probably gets $700. for JUST the casting/ case....

What happened to the drive in the pictures, a severe bottom strike, or it Froze with water in it,..??
Either way, it's JUNK....

 

[JWebber]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

Jb weld! LOL! Sorry but that was funny! I would also say that lower is FUBAR'ed! What happened did you drag it down the road, or hit a rock under water? How did that happen?

 

[Bigdave196]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

Was Chuck Norris swimming again and you didnt see him when you were out boating??? LMAO!

Your lower is done, but I am sure you figured that one out by now. Look at local scrap yards and classifieds. Alpha 1 lowers are all the same, also make sure you didnt do any damage to the rest of your drive and transom if it was a strike and not a water freeze.


It could be worse, a buddy of mine at Lake Powell struck a submerged log at about 80 mph on his "picklefork" and busted one drive clean off and destroyed the other beyound repair. Can you say $30K gone in no time flat? One drive is at the bottom and the other had splinters of wood in it. Lapped props destroyed and drives were done.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

Ayuh,... SEI is an aftermarket drive, Ei; Not Mercruiser...
The Complete new drive is $1300... Not just the Lower unit...
Btw,.. The Upper unit controls the Ratio,... Lowers are all the same...
It's $700. Complete...
Mercruiser probably gets $700. for JUST the casting/ case....

What happened to the drive in the pictures, a severe bottom strike, or it Froze with water in it,..??
Either way, it's JUNK....

So the lower doesn't matter? It just has to be a Alpha one Gen 2 right? I was cruising about 25mph and hit an oyster bed in the flats. I saw it and turned a sharp right...the only thing that hit was the lower unit. I drove it back to the marina about 4 miles with no "real" issues, other than an effed up casing it looks and drives the same.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

It just has to be a Alpha one Gen 2 right?

Ayuh,... That'd be Right...

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

Sterndrive Engineering is SEI, here is a link to their site and the lower unit you need. iboats does carry it, I just have no idea how you go about finding it anymore.
http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/mercha...gory_Code=MercruiserAlphaGenIILowerSterndrive
I was also wrong about the price, the Gen II is $845, not 700. but it is a complete lower unit. And a 3 year warranty.

Oh, and a new lower unit HOUSING from Mercruiser is over $1100. You would then need the seal kit, and shim kits, plus the labor to change it over.

 

[pvmtsux]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

I found a salvaged casing that the guy will let go for $300. He said he will put my old gears in, change out the water pump and impelled for another $350. So, $650 said and done dozen't sound too bad right now.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

Hope he's a Merc Tech and knows how to re-shim and has the special tools. If not, you will have a $650 pile of junk in no time, plus it could take out the upper on the way.
Good Luck

 

[Augoose]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

I found a salvaged casing that the guy will let go for $300. He said he will put my old gears in, change out the water pump and impelled for another $350. So, $650 said and done dozen't sound too bad right now.

I'd go with what Don said - $850 for a brand new lower gear unit with a warranty vs $650 and it fails on you at the worst time, which then equals a $200 sea tow bill.

How much is peace of mind worth?

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

That case is junk. SEI lower unit is the "only" way to go. A no-brainer.

 

[sandersps]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

not hi-jack but, Does SEI manufacture their own parts or do they reman merc units? I am always sceptical about clone parts but, everyone on Iboats seems to approve. Anybody ever have any trouble with SEI, bad parts, warranty? I guess it is not hi-jacking if the info helps the OP.

 

[Lawnmedic]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

SEI makes new upper and lower units for several I/Os and outboards whos patents have run out. They also make a conversion kit to replace an OMC Cobra drive with a Merc. I have not heard of anyone having problems with their no fault warranty.

 

[semo549]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

PVM, I sent you a pm

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Cracked Lower Unit

OUCH What did you hit?:facepalm: Did it drag the ground from the ramp to your house??? It's toast... I had a little crack TIG welded one time and it did turn out ok.. Lord yours looks like the bearing carrier is hanging down... Good luck on the hunt for the replacement