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Is this a Good Engine and Transom 30LX with Alpha OneHelp

E

enginesilo

Contributing Member
"So I am shopping for a boat a

"So I am shopping for a boat and I found a 1996 and 1997 that both have the 3.0 Litre/LX Mercruiser with the Alpha One drive.

Is this a decent engine combination? Or is it one of those drives that are prone to blowing up? One of the boats I am considering is a fresh water boat in great shape visually, and the engine has 150 hours on it.

Is this a worthy engine and drive to consider? Or should I be shopping for something else?

Any tips from people who know will be helpful."
 
"Guess I should call it a driv

"Guess I should call it a drive, not a transom. New at the whole inboard/outboard thing


Any tips you guys can share will be great."
 
Having owned 2 boats with the

Having owned 2 boats with the 3.0 liter/LX and Alpha 1 I have nothing but good to say about the combination. The Alpha 1 is the most popular drive there is. The 3.0 liter/LX is a great little motor. Treated well it is almost bullet proof and very easy on gas. Properly maintained and not abused it is a hard to beat combination in my opinion.
 
"The boat I am looking at is a

"The boat I am looking at is a Sea Ray 1996 or 1997 with the Alpha One/3.0LX combo. glad to hear it is a bullet proof little ride.

Is there anything that is common and breaks that I should look at? I am highly familiar with 2 stroke jet ski engine's, but never a mercruiser. I am willing to get a little greasy and wrench on anything that can be done on my own without needing tools or hard core knowledge. I am hoping to maintain this boat on my own winterizing/de-winterizing, oil changes, etc.


Can you share some more info on this engine? What should the compression be per cylinder? Anything else I should be looking out for will be helpful."
 
Also wanted to add to my last

Also wanted to add to my last post that the serial is an 0F and not an 0C if that makes a difference.
 
"Ayuh,....

The 3.0l motor h

"Ayuh,....

The 3.0l motor has been a Proven Dependable powerplant for the last 45 Years....

Find yourself a Factory Manual,... It'll answer All of your Questions..."
 
"Where could I find a manual,

"Where could I find a manual, on eBay? I would rather hear some stuff from the experienced on hear as well since there are always tricks and things to look for from experience.

I thought there was a drive out there that was like a ticking time bomb, that is why I asked about the engine/drive combo."
 
"[b]"I thought there was a

""I thought there was a drive out there that was like a ticking time bomb,"

Ayuh,......

That would be OMCs in general,+ the OMC Stringer drive in particular.....

After you buy a boat,... Then worry about Which Manual you need...."
 
"Thanks Bondo.
I came here ho

"Thanks Bondo.
I came here hoping to get some info so I can figure out if this is the right boat to buy. Once I own the boat, I will DEFINITELY opt to buy the manual and do it all.

Glad to hear the 3.0LX and Alpha one is a good one. I am shopping and will hope to score a boat soon."
 
"Prior to buying it, i'd c

"Prior to buying it, i'd check the bellows. I may even try tp ush to pull the OD and look at the gimbal bearing and for water in the drive shaft bellows, havin just had to do mine, I can attest that they are a PITA. That boat is the right age for them to go(mine is a 1998 starcraft 1810gt). Look at the shift cable bellows in particular, it is the wimpiest. Looks for breaks in the low spots of the ribbing. Make sure all major systems work(lights, radio, bilge pump-you should have to pour water in it-, horn, trim, etc). I insisted on a test drive before handing my check over, i'd suggest you do the same. Throw it into a steep turn(each direction) at medium speed(20 ish mph) listen and feel for virbations, groans etc. Boats will naturally cavitate when you do a move like that, but it will also feel natural too. The steep turn will bring out any play in the ujoints, drive shaft, and gimbal bearing. that's about all ican think of that i did when i bought mine. I drove another boat that did not pass the test and walked away. good luck and enjoy it when you get it!"
 
"Good combination. Not the boa

"Good combination. Not the boat to buy if you are looking for power or speed though. I would buy most mercruiser (3.0, the inline 6 engines, 5.7V8) but would stay away from the 3.7L "470". Just thoughts."
 
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