alpha 1

[speedy]

just bought a 1985 checkmate convincor and was wondering if someone could tell me how oil gets from the lower unit to the upper gear, also if someone could direct me to a thread for outdrive setup and install.

thanks

 

[happy]

when filled.. oil is about 3inches from the top of the drive. the basic sling effect.. routs the oil hope that helps

 

[Eriktheviking]

As far as the oil getting to the upper gearcase goes...There is a small passage about a 1/4" that runs between the two halfs.I highly recommend running a drive shower on your Alpha.I'm guessing its a 454.Between that and the weight of the boat..you need to keep that oil cool!

 

[daren34]

with a 454 i hope it has a bravo

oiling is the same though
daren

 

[daren34]

with the shifter in reverse the paddle is straight
slide the drive on with the shifter on the drive
in reverse and the hold the prop to keed it there
then slide the drive on the studs it might help when you get it that far to bump the motor
give the drive a solid kick to seat it check shifter then tighten all the nuts
then you can hook up the trim cylinders

 

[speedy]

the engine is a 300hp tempest 350. how much hp can i make before i hurt this outdrive

 

[bakedgoods222]

Alpha 1' s are rated to 400 H.P. I have a alpha 1 on my 22' Pachanga and it has a 330 hp Mercruiser 454 and performs flawless and it handles alot better than my buddies Pachanga with the Bravo because of the size difference. unless you are going to get a blower or something radical the Alpha 1 will work fine, mine is a 1:32 ratio with a 21p Cleaver. As far as water in the gear case make sure you dont have 2 o-ring gaskets behind the fill screw or not one at all! And as far as a drive shower I just got one and it is great I got it new on ebay for $60 + $10 Shipping. Cheap Insurance!!
Here is the link.http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MERC...50442QQitemZ4576026269QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

[speedy]

question for bakedgoods how fast will the pachanga go with this set up? just looking for some #S to compare for prop size.

 

[bakedgoods222]

I run 65 M.P.H. @ 4800 R.P.M. I want to try a 23 P Mirage but for now the cleaver works nice.

 

[supergenius74]

Baked, are your sure? I thought alpha 1's were only rated for a max of 300hp, hence why they never come with anything more than a 260hp v8's. I could be wrong, shane

 

[Chris E]

Originally posted by supergenius74:
Baked, are your sure? I thought alpha 1's were only rated for a max of 300hp, hence why they never come with anything more than a 260hp v8's. I could be wrong, shane

Merc thought so highly of the alpha drive that they were bolting them to big blocks, 330 hp in the mid 80's. They didn't hold up though and now they do the 300 and under, while bravos do the higher horsepower stuff

 

[bowtie]

Prior to 1988 or something along those lines, the Alpha's and Alpha SS were used with high HP small blocks and big blocks. My 1987 came originally with a 320 Merc 5.7 with the Alpha SS, and that motor has currently been upgraded to the tune of over 400 hp and 400+ Ft/lbs of tq and has not yet broke the Alpha. Of course relatively gentle starts and keeping the lower unit in the water are responsible for that.

 

[johnboyz85]

85 senator .with 468 alhpa set up. I would have to say 400hp plus!Man i run the senator like a freekin mad man all summer long; racin any one who wants to get spanked, no matter what the water conditions were . One weekend i launched it off a house boat wake because i wasnt paying attetion and tach't her out.but i change drive oil every 15 hrs and it has a max marinedrive shower witch reinforces top beering cap.i know i have done 10 min wot runs on my alpha thats how i blew up my 330 bb .give her hell

 

[check4booger]

when removing that alpha drive or installing make sure that shifter is in forward NOT reverse otherwise you will be there for a long time scratchin your head

 

[johnboyz85]

before removing drive, shift it in to forward,
then remove outdrive .then when u reinstall drive u can turn the prop ,then causing the splines to line up with the motor .