Pre-alpha swap

[swat]

Greeting all!
I am not new to boating but I am new to big water boating. I reciently purchased a cabin cruiser for fishing the great lakes. The boat surveyed out just fine. However in the survey the out drive was called a alpha-1 and the previous owner stated it was a alpha-1. The reason i looked into it was the previous owner said that the out drive was geared down to attain slower trolling speeds of 1-2 mph. The gear change made planing the boat a issue.

I was thinking about changing the gearing back. I tried to find serial numbers off the out drive and cant find anything due to the corrison. The anodes are pitted pretty bad.

Now to my question....

Does anyone know of a drive that I can replace the pre-alpha with, without re-working the transom, maybe a updated bolt on replacement type thing?

Motor's a 1982 260 mercruiser.

Thanks for any info you may have in advance!!

 

[cr2k]

Re: Pre-alpha swap

If it is an Alpha you can switch with any alpha (not Alpha 2), just make sure you get the correct gearing for your needs. I believe even some of the early drives will work too the R and MR.

What you need to look for is the input shaft has to be the same length.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Pre-alpha swap

Should be a 1.50 ratio drive for the 350 SBC.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Pre-alpha swap

Here is a chart for the ratio on different engines. The universal joint yoke should be stamped somewhere with a letter which indicates also which ratio is in the drive. (Unless someone has changed it).

 

[Glastron_V210]

Re: Pre-alpha swap

I have an alpha (Not gen 2 alpha) in place of my pre-alpha drive.

The input shafts were different lengths for V8 and nonV8 applications. This is because the engine couplers were different.

If you find a drive in good shape, you can have the gear ratio changed. Also, you can swap the input shaft and do universalls at the same time.

Chay

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pre-alpha swap

Does anyone know of a drive that I can replace the pre-alpha with, without re-working the transom, maybe a updated bolt on replacement type thing?

Motor's a 1982 260 mercruiser.

Ayuh,.... A brand new SEI Alpha 1 drive from right here at iboats is a Plug, 'n Play drive for your ship...

 

[ingalp01]

Re: Pre-alpha swap

Try this, direct bolt on swap:

http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/merchant.mvc?

Or This:

http://www.boatmotors.com/motorparts/index.cgi?pid=7535&flag=2&year=1982&state=mi

Same Parts, same price, just depends who you want to buy from. They both bolt right up and you can get all the tools, gaskets, bellows, etc., etc. from either site. All alpha 1 parts will fit the new drive for maintenence and such in the future.