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pre alpha or alpha???

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glenn_1

Member
I have a 1986 Sea ray SD 268 with a mercruiser outdrive, 350 chevy. I know that this boat is supposed to have an alpha 1 drive but the top of my upper housing has ribs running along the sides( vent plug area) and a lifting hole on the cap of the housing. Is this an alpha or did someone change the drive previously?

any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks:confused:
 
glenn_1 said:
I have a 1986 Sea ray SD 268 with a mercruiser outdrive, 350 chevy. I know that this boat is supposed to have an alpha 1 drive but the top of my upper housing has ribs running along the sides( vent plug area) and a lifting hole on the cap of the housing. Is this an alpha or did someone change the drive previously?

any help would be greatly appreciated

thanks:confused:
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Sounds like somebody slapped on an MC-1,...

The MC-1, 'n the Alpha 1 are directly interchangeable,... Total Non-issue...
 
mercruiser drive 001.jpgmercruiser drive 002.jpgmercruiser drive 003.jpgmercruiser drive 004.jpg
bondo said:
Ayuh,.... Sounds like somebody slapped on an MC-1,...

The MC-1, 'n the Alpha 1 are directly interchangeable,... Total Non-issue...
Click to expand...


Thanks, I will post some pics today. The reason that I am concerned is that I was told it was an Alpha 1 drive when I bought the boat. I had some troubles shifting last year and the gimble bearing was starting to growl when i was turning either side. I have all the new parts ( lower shift cable assembly, new u joints, water pump kit, new prop and a transom service kit including gimble bearing) and am wondering if they will fit as they were ordered for the alpha 1 drive. I know the transom service kit and shift cable are for "R, MR,Alpha 1" and fit 83-90. But I am not sure about the water pump kit or the u-joints. Is there a number on the stern drive somewhere to distinguish the year it was made or model? also, should i order a upper seal kit if i am changing the u-joints as I will be removing the u-joint shaft?

thanks
Glenn
 
Last edited:
Ayuh,.... It appears you've got the MR/ Alpha 1 transom, 'n a late model, MC-1 outdrive....

I believe the possible differences in water pumps, puts yer's as the newer style....

'n for the U-joints, I think the choices are inner snap-rings, or outer snap-rings,... just match what you've got...

The u-joints can be changed without openin' the case, by slightly grindin' a tab on the big nut,...
If ya take it apart,... Ya, new seals, 'n o-rings...
 
Hi guys, I really appreciate the help from professionals. ok i've got the drive separated and the lower shaft don't have the nut but it seems to have a loaded pin but it seems to be stuck. I have cleaned the lower for paint and I can see "SP-01 or SE-01" stamped on the side of the lower housing. is this an aftermarket drive? I have everything apart at the transom and the gimble bearing is pretty much seized and there was a hole in the bellows. The shift cable was rusted inside as I had figured but looks the same as what I bought new. The transom service kit,( bellows, gimble bearing, o-rings and seals look like same) I haven't taken the water pump apart yet, so i am not sure. How do I get the gimble bearing out? As for the U-joints, i think that someone has already ground down a couple of ears on the retainer ring to change them previouisly, but they are sloppy and i am going to change them again. The caps will clear to remove the joints but I was going to pull the shaft and put in an upper seal kit anyway. I noticed that one of the seals( back to back) where the lower shaft fits up into the upper is torn so I might as well change it all. Is there anything special about pulling the U-joint shaft. I have the spanner wrench for the retainer nut but I don't want to cause any extra grief by removing it and messing something up.(shims). Please let me know what you think.

thanks
Glenn
 
Hi guys, can anyone tell me the correct direction for the fins on the water pump impeller. I took the old one off but forgot to look at the direction of the fins. pointing right or left??

thanks
 
a serial number should be stamped here, may have to remove a decal
 

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