Reinstalling a Alpha One Outdrive help

[badkins50]

First things, I have a 1984 alpha one connected to a 1984 470. I removed my outdrive and replaced the impeller, u-joint bellow and water pick up hose, orings, clamps and gaskets. I know I'm going to get yelled at but the bearing was only 2 years old so I didn't touch that. Last night I tried to reinstall the outdrive and could only get it up to the mounting bolts and no further in. Is there something special or tricks to ease this thing in easier? IM GOING CRAZY HERE . Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Don S]

Re: Reinstalling a Alpha One Outdrive help

I know I'm going to get yelled at but the bearing was only 2 years old so I didn't touch that.

If you are referring to the gimbal bearing, it's not something you have to replace yearly, it should last for many, many years if kept lubed and doesn't get water in it from a bad bellows.

I assume you lubed the splines on the ujoint shaft, and checked the alignment, and have everything in forward? If so, and the alignment was ok, and you put new orings on the splined shaft, did you put some light grease on the orings? The orings could be holding the drive from going on. If that is the problem, bumping the drive with your foot usually sets the orings into the gimbal bearing.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Reinstalling a Alpha One Outdrive help

did the drive shaft slide into the coupler? if not, try rotating the prop shaft ccw a little bit to get the splines to engage.

did ya put some grease on the 2 o rings on the drive shaft? a little 2-4-c helps on them helps.
ya greased the drive shaft spines and the nose of the upper too?

sometime ya gotta give'em a little kick to get it past them o rings too.

is the shift shaft slide straight up and down and sliding freely into the slot in the drive.

is the shift shaft coupler lined up for and aft on the upper and on the bell housing. it's in fwd? drive and helm. fwiw. this is what prevented me from that last little bit this year. one of the shoes was a little off fore and aft and it was catching on the corner of the shoe not letting it slide together.

 

[badkins50]

Re: Reinstalling a Alpha One Outdrive help

Don/Ziggy - everything was greased up pretty good, spline, orings and stuff. I was talking about the gimbal bearing too. I don't think I had everything matching up in the forward position though. As a matter of fact I know it is not. I'll give this a go after work today. Thanks.

 

[JerryIrons]

Re: Reinstalling a Alpha One Outdrive help

Yes it all has to be in forward, so that the shift shoe can slide into the bracket. If you get underneath and look at it, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. Don't worry I did the same thing on my first time, I think this is part of the initiation to these kinds of drives. Also make sure that prop is held tight with a bungee or something so that it doesn't slip out of forward, seems like it only has to move a millimeter and it's in neutral. Whatever you do it should slide in, do not just tighten it down with nuts or you will bend something, like the shift shoe bracket.

-Jerry

 

[badkins50]

Re: Reinstalling a Alpha One Outdrive help

Thanks everyone. I put everything in forward position and she went right on. Consider closed.