ok. got a 1990 maxium with a 3.0l. mercruiser alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive. bought the boat and upper gears were shelled. rebuilt the upper drive with all new gears and bearings. had all approriate tools to do the job right and a book. very confedent in the build. took lower unit apart and cleaned and inspected. gimbal bearing felt very tight and smooth so didnt touch it. the u-joints were very smooth and tight(tight in up and down motion). put the outdrive back onto the boat and hooked water up to it with garden hose. sounds perfect at idle. bring the rpms up smoothly and once you get them up there alittle ways a rattle, metalic sound begins to happen(neutral of in gear). almost sounds like the driveshaft is harmonicing.(there's no special way to put those outdrives back onto the boat is there?) i moved the outdrive up and down and still does it but it does change alittle with the angle but hardly any. i cant get the outdrive all the \way down cause it hits the ground but is very close to down. i was thinking this may be normal as the driveshaft has no load on it and will harmonic without the prop load?. maybe its exhaust??? let me know if you got any ideas. think i might drop it in the water later today unless you dont think i should. thanks for the help. jim
