outdrive interchange?

[chopperpunk]

looking to find out if the merc R-Style are interchangeable with the merc alpha 1 gen 1...any help would be great ..thanks!

 

[achris]

Re: outdrive interchange?

Have a read of this

http://forums.iboats.com/showpost.php?p=1564776&postcount=13

Chris...........

 

[CaptRon66]

Re: outdrive interchange?

An Alpha Gen 1 can bolt up to a pre-Alpha bellhousing. There are some differences in drive shaft length. The older pre-alpha inline set ups used a longer drive shaft. If this is what you're doing be careful. Using the wrong driveshaft can damage the engine coupler.

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive interchange?

The older pre-alpha inline set ups used a longer drive shaft.

Ayuh,....... Ron,.... Ya got it Backwards,........

The Pre-alpha In-line motors used the 8+" shaft,....
And,....
The V-motors,+ Alphas use the 9+" shaft..........

I Know,.....
I Smoked a Coupler trolling just after I dropped a 4.3l in where a 140hp used to live..........

 

[CaptRon66]

Re: outdrive interchange?

oops....thanks for the correction. I know better because I've changed the shafts for this reason. Should make one of those icons in the reply box with egg on face.

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

you guys are great...this is my 4th boat now...only the second merc tho... last one was a OMC stringer (nightmare), i got the boat really cheap due to the outdrive was stolen while in storage, its a 1979 century 7000 single 260HP, so from what i gathered so far here..is that i can interchange most drives up to the bravo unit? that will definatly make my search alot easier, anymore help you guys got would be great!..thanks!!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: outdrive interchange?

Basically any Gen 1 Alpha will bolt right on, but you need to make sure you have the right gear ratio.....
That will depend on what engine you have.....
SEI sells brand new aftermarkets for about $1200.....​

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

thanks again...the merc 260 shows a 1.50:1 ratio, so im good there, is there any differance in length?, i know with my last boat and the OMC theres a short and a long,,, are all merc outdrives the same length?

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive interchange?

is there any differance in length?,

Nope......

is that i can interchange most drives up to the bravo unit?

Nope again,......

Only some of the Pre-Alphas,+ the Alpha 1, gen.I.......

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

Ayuh,....... Ron,.... Ya got it Backwards,........

The Pre-alpha In-line motors used the 8+" shaft,....
And,....
The V-motors,+ Alphas use the 9+" shaft..........

I Know,.....
I Smoked a Coupler trolling just after I dropped a 4.3l in where a 140hp used to live..........

is this shaft the one from the engine to the outdrives driveshaft spline...or is this the end of the driveshaft on the outdrive itself? My boats got a V-8 350,,,so the alpha should bolt right on and in the drink i go?

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive interchange?

is this shaft the one from the engine to the outdrives driveshaft spline...or is this the end of the driveshaft on the outdrive itself?

Ayuh,.....

There's only 1 shaft between the motor,+ the drive.......
And,......
That's the 1 we were talking about.......

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

ok so having a v-8 it should have the 9inch shaft...and putting a alpha on should be no prob then? again..you all are great and i appreciate all the help giving me! ill have to buy you all a drink!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive interchange?

ok so having a v-8 it should have the 9inch shaft...and putting a alpha on should be no prob then?

Ayuh,.......... It's 9",+ Change actually................

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

well hey been a few days...boats coming sat. so ill know a little more about what im jumping into then,, so im sure ill be back with a buncha questions!!..thanks again...and talk to you all soon!!

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

ok i came across a merc model 888,said to come off a early 80's boat, has 1:50.1 ratio and its dirt cheap and in working condition...so does anyone know the good the bad and the ugly about this unit?..thanks again!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: outdrive interchange?

Ayuh,.....

It's a typical Pre-alpha,+ it Should work just fine for your application......

It came from a V8 Ford, but it shouldn't matter......

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: outdrive interchange?

It will work just fine....

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

thanks again...glad to hear ...is there anything i should know about this particular drive...ups/downs, any known problems...should i get a alpha over getting this older unit?...oh and the boats going to be here tonight about 5ish!!..yay!!

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: outdrive interchange?

It really ain't any different than an Alpha, at least on the outside, change the lube, pressure test it & replace the impeller when required....​

 

[chopperpunk]

Re: outdrive interchange?

well the boats here...got the outdrive for $100, and im thinking im going to take it in and have it gone thru...ive been in them before...but i would rather have the piece of mind that it was done right and tight!...thanks for all your help!!