what out drives can I use

[skinny1965]

ok I had a alpha one I think MR drive as it was smooth side and studs in bottom (Lost gear in top end )
this was powered by a 120 merc (3.0) 4cyl
I found an older outdrive (R) priced right that was to have been rebuilt last year and had been powered by a merc 140 4cyl

will this bolt to my gimbal and if I wanted could I bolt my lower to the top

looked at a site (https://plus22.safe-order.net/mercstuff/drive_id.htm) and it sounded to me like I could but it could be me just hoping
if this works I will be on water again this weekend
could someone please confirm this

 

[achris]

The drive for a 120 is the same as a drive for a 140... The R will bolt up to your MR transom and you wouldn't know it wasn't the original.... The only major difference is in the design and set-up of the lower drive shaft, and the water pump base to accommodate that difference. From the outside, you can't tell the difference...

Just be aware, that site you are referencing, it the site that started the term 'Pre-Alpha'... For that alone I would love to see their servers invaded and taken down forever. Also there is a lot of misleading information there....For drive information, the best place to look is Dons' Alpha history...

 

[skinny1965]

So will my btm end off my alpha bolt onto the older top also

 

[achris]

Yes it will, but since you blow the top box to bits, there will be metal strewn all the way through to the bottom. If you want to use that lower housing again, pull it to bits and THOROUGHLY clean it out, or you'll destroy that and any top box you put on it. And a couple of flushes with oil isn't remotely close enough to cleaning it out.

 

[wrench 3]

Check the drive shaft length (from the engine to the "U" joints). The older inline engines used a shorter shaft than the newer ones. You may have to swap the shaft.

 

[achris]

Check the drive shaft length (from the engine to the "U" joints). The older inline engines used a shorter shaft than the newer ones. You may have to swap the shaft.

That only applies to MC-1 drives. From the 'R' (1983) on they all use the same length...