Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

[blue_77]

Hello all. I have a new one for you. this is my first mercruiser setup and I don't really know what I'm looking at. I need to get parts for this outdrive and don't really know which mercruiser it is. All help is appreciated.

reason for new parts is that there is an oil leak at the bottom/front keyhole or breather? of the drive.

its on a 87 24' Pursuit WA with a 350 MERC. I came to find out they dint put the bravo's till 88 so that's discarded, I think. Please educate me.

 

[Don S]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

I's an Alpha I outdrive. Head up to the Adults Only sticky at the top of the forum and download the manual for it. #6 is the one you want.
You need to pull the outdrive, drain it and pressure check it to locate the leak. There is also info on makeing a pressure tester up there too.

 

[Talonz82]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

I would like to add, that it is a generation 1, or gen 1, versus the alpha 1 gen 2 which merc moved the trim cylinder pin forward amongst other suble changes. once you read the reference you can go about pressure checking and determining the failure and corrective action. Good luck with your repair.

 

[Don S]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

There is no such thing as an Alpha l Gen l, it was called an Alpha l, in 1991, the Alpha I Gen ll came out. The name "Alpha l" indicates the outdrives used by Mercruiser from 1986 through 1991. The Alpha l and the Alpha l Gen ll are not interchangable. Prior to 86 there was the l-MR, the l-R and the l drive. The Alpha l Gen ll drives are still in use today.

 

[blue_77]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

Thanks a bunch guys. I found a bravo 1 locally at reasonable price. Is it a doable bolt on swap or should I put the effort into repairing this one. Guy I bought the boat from says the boat was not going on plane. He didn't want to spend the time dealing with the repair.

I originally thought there was an issue with the trim. But I see that it's the outdrive that's the problem.

I have a Volvo 280 on another ski boat and it seems a lot beefier than this alpha 1.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

Getting up on plane usually has nothing to do with a drive unless the gear ratio is 1.32-1 or the prop is not allowing the motor to reach it rated rpm band with a 260 motor. I`d be looking at the motor first, then fuel delivery .

 

[blue_77]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

I just noticed that he was running a 15x 17 pitch prop on a 24' Pursuit WA. could that be the reason why not going on plane. I would figure at least a 19 pitch would be needed.

 

[Don S]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

Thanks a bunch guys. I found a bravo 1 locally at reasonable price. Is it a doable bolt on swap or should I put the effort into repairing this one.

You can not just pull the Alpha I off the boat and put the Bravo drive on. You have to pull the engine and replace the complete transom assembly to use the Bravo drive.

Guy I bought the boat from says the boat was not going on plane. He didn't want to spend the time dealing with the repair.

LOL, you could have a bad prop to cause that problem.

You have to do some checking, like draining the gear lube and looking at the drain screw magnet and see if there is any metal shavings on it. If not, the drive may be fine.
Could also be and engine coupler slipping. Similar to a prop hub, but an engine pull to fix.
Could be a bad shift cable not shifting into or out of gear.
You have a lot of things that could be wrong, and you are wanting to replace the drive which is the most expensive thing you can fix, first. Without knowing if it's bad or not.

Yes the Volvo drive is stronger than the Alpha, but that has little to do with the problem or how to fix it.

 

[blue_77]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

Thanks Guys. I'm going to start with the obious and go from there. This time I'll take pictures of the repair. Maybe some one else will benefit from it. I'll post when I find the issue and repair done.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

You can not just pull the Alpha I off the boat and put the Bravo drive on. You have to pull the engine and replace the complete transom assembly to use the Bravo drive.



LOL, you could have a bad prop to cause that problem.

You have to do some checking, like draining the gear lube and looking at the drain screw magnet and see if there is any metal shavings on it. If not, the drive may be fine.
Could also be and engine coupler slipping. Similar to a prop hub, but an engine pull to fix.
Could be a bad shift cable not shifting into or out of gear.
You have a lot of things that could be wrong, and you are wanting to replace the drive which is the most expensive thing you can fix, first. Without knowing if it's bad or not.

Yes the Volvo drive is stronger than the Alpha, but that has little to do with the problem or how to fix it.

Not to mention having to buy and install a fresh water pump on the motor.

 

[blue_77]

Re: Please help me identify the outdrive- pics inside

ok guys im posting new thread with pics as I go along. if you like to check it out. "Alpha one Repair and Maintenance"