Removal of Alpha One Gen II outdrives

1132MM

1132MM

Member
Aug 1, 2010
184
Wantagh, NY
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 280 Sundancer
Engines
Twin 4.3 Liter Mercruiser w/Alpha One Gen 2 Drives
I have twin outdrives. The port outdrive I believe is counter rotating. I removed the starboard without any issues. However I put both gear shifts in forward. When I tried taking the port outdrive off it gave me a lot of issues. I found out that the I should have put the port shift in reverse prior to removing the outdrive. Has anyone heard of this before?
 
Yes, the counter on a alpha must be in reverse. Did you pull it off in forward? If so you'll want to check the shift shoe and intermediate shaft for being bent, it would have been at an angle while you were trying to pull it off
 
1132MM said:
I have twin outdrives. The port outdrive I believe is counter rotating. I removed the starboard without any issues. However I put both gear shifts in forward. When I tried taking the port outdrive off it gave me a lot of issues. I found out that the I should have put the port shift in reverse prior to removing the outdrive. Has anyone heard of this before?
Click to expand...
Yep.
 
Thanks! I checked it looks like its OK. Would there be anything that could break in the outdrive itself?
 
1132MM said:
Thanks! I checked it looks like its OK. Would there be anything that could break in the outdrive itself?
Click to expand...

not really. The other thing I’d do (every time the outdrive is off actually) would be to pressure test it. If was applying pressure to the the shift shaft seal it could cause a seal leak, that’s a common place to leak even under normal operation. I end up replacing my sealsevery couple of years because they tend to develop slow leaks. It’s not a great design imo
 
1132MM said:
I have twin outdrives. The port outdrive I believe is counter rotating. I removed the starboard without any issues. However I put both gear shifts in forward. When I tried taking the port outdrive off it gave me a lot of issues. I found out that the I should have put the port shift in reverse prior to removing the outdrive. Has anyone heard of this before?
Click to expand...

Yes! That’s how I removed the port drive on my old boat.
 
Kinda cold to pullin outdrives in your area. You must be one hardy soul.
 
45!!!
Brrrrr.......
South Louisiana boy, here.
 
I have a question you all might be able to assist with, just got a new used 2005 dancer 280 with twin 4.3l Alpha gen II drives. The mechanic and surveyor noticed the boat hits the rev limiter on both engines, previous owner noticed as well. The mechanic said its because the props are the wrong pitch. They are both 17P SS Vengance props. I believe these engines/drives need 19 or 21 pitch. Can anyone tell me what the correct props should be for these motors? I know this is not a prop thread, but I started reading it about pulling the drives and noticed you all have the same boat pretty much ..thanks
 
pretty sure you should be running a 21 pitch prop, I have a 290 with 4.3 alpha drives and run 21 pitch props.. WOT is 4500 rpm with that set up
 
The size/weight of the boat is a factor, but I have an Alpha I 4.3 in my 185. I can run a 23P that put's me at the bottom of the WOT range (4600rpm) or a 21P that put's me at the top - it will bump the rev limit with just me and low fuel). Each 1" of pitch will change your WOT rpm by 200-300rpm. Temperature also has an affect, I pick up an extra 100rpm on a 65deg fall day vs a 90deg summer day.
A general rule of thumb is 1" less pitch for a SS prop, so in your case if I had t0 bet, I would go with the SS 19P -- I would rather still hit the rev limiter vs being on the low side of WOT rpm. Lugging the engine is bad and you can always back off the throttle. I would also think about aluminum props (21P), I know everyone likes SS, but really in a boat with 4.3's and Alpha's, your not getting anything from the SS props - buy new aluminum props and change the pitch on the the SS - every boat needs spare props. The rev limiter on a 4.3 cuts in at 4950rpm.
 
I am thinking 19 or 21 is right, I have the 17 now and both are hitting the rev limiter. Id like to stay with the SS as the aluminum's get some flex, which can effect performance. I just dont want to keep buying props, I want to get the right ones for the job. Spec on these engines for WOT is 4400-4800 RPM, Im hitting, from the TACH about 5000-5100 and getting the alarm.
 
I have Mercruiser Vengeance 48 16314 17P in stainless.
 
1132MM said:
I have Mercruiser Vengeance 48 16314 17P in stainless.
Click to expand...

I have the same ones, well one is counter rotating. 48 16314 17P and a 48 16315 17P. Your engine dosent hit the rev limiter with those props? interesting. Well want to buy a used set when I change mine ? LOL I have to change them, 2 mechanics and the surveyor agree I need 19 P or 21 P just have to figure out which ones. I might just send and email to mercury
 
I found Mercury very helpful. I called them on several issues. Just have the serial numbers of the outdrives and engines ready when you call. Good luck!
 
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