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Alpha I 1:47 questions

Akjohn

Akjohn

Contributing Member
I recently picked up a 24' Glasply with a 260 5.7 and a Alpha I sterndrive, the motor needs to come out, not sure what the issue is but when I pull the dipstick it is full, and its not oil.....! Plan to pull the motor this weekend, get it drained and see what is going on.

In any case the motor and outdrive were installed on this boat 8-9 years ago by the previous owner, used motor and supposendly a new drive.
At this point I am just trying to figure out what I have, been doing some research and Merc made many varieties of Alpha I's. There is a number on the unit, 0853259 and the gear ration is 1:47, can you guys tell me anything from this? Is it a Gen II? Is 1:47 the correct ratio for a fairly heavy cabin boat w/ a 5.7....?

Appreciate any help.....J
 
Akjohn said:
I recently picked up a 24' Glasply with a 260 5.7 and a Alpha I sterndrive, the motor needs to come out, not sure what the issue is but when I pull the dipstick it is full, and its not oil.....! Plan to pull the motor this weekend, get it drained and see what is going on.

In any case the motor and outdrive were installed on this boat 8-9 years ago by the previous owner, used motor and supposendly a new drive.
At this point I am just trying to figure out what I have, been doing some research and Merc made many varieties of Alpha I's. There is a number on the unit, 0853259 and the gear ration is 1:47, can you guys tell me anything from this? Is it a Gen II? Is 1:47 the correct ratio for a fairly heavy cabin boat w/ a 5.7....?

Appreciate any help.....J
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Merc built the MC-1, then the R drive, then the MR drive, then the Alpha 1, in '83...

The Gen.II was intro'ed in '91...
 
does it have a black tube connected to a plastic fitting (forward/front) of outdrive. this is the speedo tube.

If that is there it is a gen II

also are the two halfs, upper and lower held together but nuts and studs or are there bolts with nuts. If bolts with nuts then gen II

Also where the trim rams connect to the drive, is there big rubber bushings or nylon bushings and the ends have a large E clip vs threaded nuts.

If nylon bushings and E clips the gen II
 
kghost said:
does it have a black tube connected to a plastic fitting (forward/front) of outdrive. this is the speedo tube.

If that is there it is a gen II

also are the two halfs, upper and lower held together but nuts and studs or are there bolts with nuts. If bolts with nuts then gen II

Also where the trim rams connect to the drive, is there big rubber bushings or nylon bushings and the ends have a large E clip vs threaded nuts.

If nylon bushings and E clips the gen II
Click to expand...

Thanks, will have to inspect, now that I know what to look for.......J
 
It appears it is NOT a GEN II, in order to pull the motor do I need to remove the upper drive shaft housing.....? Thanks guys.........
 
OK, so motor came out on Saturday, all went well thanks for the help..............!
My research tells me this is a 1981 motor, we drained 4 gallons of liquid out of the motor, mostly anti-freeze with some brown sludge that use to be lubricant. Not sure how long it sat this way, but I doubt its worth fooling with. To my inderstanding there was some changes in 86-87, one piece seal, external balancing, valve covers.

I would like to use a newer motor but am not sure if the crank flywheel connection will be a issue...................? Is this possible? If so what do I need to make this happen, we are connecting to a Alpha I drive............Thanks..............J
 

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Akjohn said:
I would like to use a newer motor but am not sure if the crank flywheel connection will be a issue..
Click to expand...
The new GM crate 350/290HP still uses the old 2 pc. rear main seal and crank design, so you still can get a new motor that will "drop in", and it's built to pretty much identical specs as the 1981 Mercruiser 260.
nal-12499529_w.jpg

Otherwise, there are pretty simple workarounds to convert a newer motor.
 
We ended up buying a 1997 motor and gen II setup that has 32 hours on it...............so the old motor is now a candidate for a big anchor..........Thanks, John
 
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