OEM or Aftermarket

[Tarks]

Im looking at pulling my Alpha One Gen 2 drive and servicing myself. Pump, bellows, gimbal bearing etc. Do most people go OEM or aftermarket? There is a wide range of pricing on aftermarket depending on brand which leads me to my questions. Are there any parts that I should only be considering OEM? Any aftermarket brands I should steer away from? Any brands I should stick to? Ive tried searching but cant really find any good info/reviews on brands. Thanks.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'm not sure about the other bits, but I've heard of quite a few problems with aftermarket bellows. That job is such a pain that I could not imagine using anything but OEM parts. I'd have to have to re-do it in a year because some cheaper parts failed or didn't fit right.

 

[matt167]

My rule of thumb is, if the job is 'involved', then it's OEM only. If your thinking about a carb kit, then Sierra is probably fine. If something does happen, you don't have to dig very far to fix the problem.

 

[Grub54891]

Oem. Sierra is good for some stuff, electrical comes to mind. They have improved their product line over the years but I'm old school and like oem.

 

[Scott06]

Bellows and water pump impellers general consensus is oem is better. On my old boat alpha one gen one, the merc impellers lasted twice as long as the sierra ones

 

[Rick Stephens]

OEM for all rubber.

 

[Tarks]

Thx for the tips guys

 

[Scott Danforth]

I wouldnt buy anything from sierra except the gauges because I know where those are made. for rubber bits, either direct from the manufacturer of the pump (Johnson, ITT Jabsco, etc. for crank mounted pumps or in the case of a mercruiser Alpha drive, thru Mercury/quicksilver)

Gimble bearing, you can usually buy the Volvo one cheaper than the Mercruiser one (same bearing) however if the bearing is in a kit with the bellows, etc, that is usually the cheapest way.