TRUTH alpha 1 good fix or just rigged?

[chaddemler1980]

bought an alpha 1 for my boat, instead of it being a 1.50 ratio for my 350 it is a 1.36 ratio for a big block motor. My "motor guy" said no problem we can make it work... he said we could buy a dif prop with a a dif pitch to compensate for the rpm? something something or other to build the rpm back up for the 350 so its within its target range for torque, apparently in short "from what i understood anyway" is the the 454 has more torque and the 350 less at low rpms, so by changing out the prop for a dif pitch we can compensate for the loss of torque at lower rpms for the 350 and it will work just fine. my question is will this really work and STILL be somewhat efficient or should i just go get a 1.50 ratio and be done? also he said the alpha 1 i do have is a little more rare so does that mean my 1.36 ratio is worth more or less "talking trade in value for a 1.50 ratio"?

 

[Maclin]

Re: TRUTH alpha 1 good fix or just rigged?

It does depend somewhat on how big your boat is whether or not you can experiment and get the prop pitch in line with your engine's torque multiplication needs. If you have a 22 footer then you will have more problems than if it is a 19.5, that kind of thing.

But I think you already know what you should do, which in my opinion is try to trade around for the proper ratio unit.

 

[chaddemler1980]

Re: TRUTH alpha 1 good fix or just rigged?

it is a 22 foot, and a heavy one at that, installed tile and other "luxury goodies in the galley, got to get some pics on here of it,, you guys helped so much and the boat is nearly finished and looks extremely great.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: TRUTH alpha 1 good fix or just rigged?

i'll have to check but i think you have a 1.32 which i think was as you said only used for the 7.4
i think these units had heavy duty gears to stand up to the 454 torque but you can allso get a heavy duty gear set in a 1.50.
that said your not going to be out much trying what you have as you all ready bought it.
the problem your going to run into, might be finding a prop with a low enough pitch to pull wot rpms on your 350.
you could end up looking for a 13" pitch or something.
if you can prop it though i cant see why it wouldnt work.
your motor guy is right about the rpm.

 

[1976SRV190]

Re: TRUTH alpha 1 good fix or just rigged?

Shoot, take it out and try it first before making any changes. You may benifit form a lower ratio. Lower numerically final drive equates to a higher top end so as I said, may benifit there. Youll be a tad slower out of the hole but it shouldnt be too noticeable with w 300hp motor.

 

[djvan]

Re: TRUTH alpha 1 good fix or just rigged?

Check here : http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=261590

You may be able to make a trade.

DougV>