Will a 1989 Alpha 1 drive fit right in my 1973 MC 1 bell housing?

[marvinjansen]

I was just told that a newer 1989 Alpha 1 drive would not just drop in my 1973 MC 1 MC 165hp bell housing with out changing the gimbal housing also. something about the trim line and set up being different. this is different than what I thought, but I have never changed one and don't know. I have found an Alpha 1 I can get very reasonable (upper and lower) and am debating whether to get another MC 1 upper that will be good and pressure tested to bolt to my existing lower, OR get this Alpha 1 drive after checking the grease and looking at the gears.
1. Will the Alpha 1 (after swapping the drive shaft to my shorter one) fasten up to my 1973 bell housing?
2. Will my existing MC 1 trim cylinders work on the Alpha 1?
3. Will the Alpha 1 trim cylinders work with my MC 1 Gimbal housing?

any suggestions welcome.
pic of Alpha 1 on boat for sale for $700 complete (sorry boat, good trailer and maybe drive is good)
ATTACH=CONFIG]155123[/ATTACH]

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: Will a 1989 Alpha 1 drive fit right in my 1973 MC 1 bell housing?

I looked at the SEI site and it seems the SEI 106 fits 1973 to 1990, so maybe they interchange for those years. I know the earlier have a shorter driveshaft which is easily swapped.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will a 1989 Alpha 1 drive fit right in my 1973 MC 1 bell housing?

1. Will the Alpha 1 (after swapping the drive shaft to my shorter one) fasten up to my 1973 bell housing?
2. Will my existing MC 1 trim cylinders work on the Alpha 1?

Ayuh,.... 'n yes....

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: Will a 1989 Alpha 1 drive fit right in my 1973 MC 1 bell housing?

Got the complete boat with the Alpha 1 drive. pulled top off and gears look good, bearing race was smooth, and lube was still on the top gears (they were wet). I drained the lube and a little water came out first, then some thick goop and then nice lube. I feel confident it will be a good one. Now I need to take time to pressure test and make sure it is sealed up good. will put in new impeller too.
Question? when I put drive in forward the prop spun free on direction and stopped the other, when I put in reverse it didn't lock in one direction like my older 1973 lower would. Are these newer lowers different when tested that way? Maybe it was out of adjustment on the linkage?