Alpha one welch plug

[ss9940_2]

Hi there fellow iboaters!

Just wondering... is a "welch plug" on an alpha one gen I keeping the water out of the sterndrive? If not, why is it there?

http://www.dougrussell.com/partscatalog/components/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewparts&colid=04&coldesc=R%2FMR%2FALPHA%20ONE%20%28Sterndrive%29%201983%2D1990&index=2203&block=60&BlockNumberList=230,50,250,0,60,70,100,80,120,110,90,130,20,30,40,190,180,140,160,150,170,240,220,200,10,210

The parts 3&4 are the ones i am talking about

Thanx in advance

Alex

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

Keeps water out & gearoil in.......​

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

Actually, if I'm not mistaken, (and certainly could be! ), that plug goes into the cavity where the shift cable slide goes into - not the oil geargase. Why is it there? Don't know! Maybe for the casting process?

 

[ss9940_2]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

So, is it necessary to have it installed if it's there cause of the cable or not? If it keeps the gear oil in the drive, everything is clear, but if not... :redface:

Alex

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

Is it necessary to have it installed? Absolutely! Whether or not it goes into the oil passage or not, it certainly keeps the water out.

As I look at the diagram, #3 may well go into the gearcase, while #4 is the outer plug - which goes into the cavity for the slide. Regardless, they are necessary.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

So, is it necessary to have it installed if it's there cause of the cable or not?

Ayuh,......... That's a dry cavity,......
If you don't Pull the drive to drain,+ clean up the cavity,.......As well as replace the Welch Plug of course.......

It'll Stop shifting very Soon..................

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

Do Merc 1's have a 'welch' plug?

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

Do Merc 1's have a 'welch' plug?

Yes

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

Yes

...and what is it exactly, that you are s'posed to do with it and the cavity it plugs? I don't remember seeing anything about it in the maintance section of the #2 manual. Maybe I fell asleep early, while doing my bed time reading.:redface:

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

That welch plug covers a pipe plug that covers a hole used during casting. It keeps the core centered equally for the water and shift cable passages. No reason to ever have to service them really. With both plugs, they never leak.
Kind of like that screw under the Cobra decal on the OMC Cobra drives. One of those [Yea, it's there, don't touch it] type parts.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

That welch plug covers a pipe plug that covers a hole used during casting. It keeps the core centered equally for the water and shift cable passages. No reason to ever have to service them really. With both plugs, they never leak.
Kind of like that screw under the Cobra decal on the OMC Cobra drives. One of those [Yea, it's there, don't touch it] type parts.

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[Golflover]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

Hey Bondo,

Quick question. I have an 85 Sea Ray Seville, 3.7L 170 HP Merc with an Alpha outdrive which is still in layup in the garage. Today I noticed a protrusion under the sticker on the upper part of the gear case. I pulled the sticker out and stuck to it was what I learned today as the "welch plug. From looking at some of the other posts I've read seem to suggest a screw plug should be under that. On mine there is not, just the gear case as I peer into the hole. Is this normal on 85's and did they add the pipe plug on later models or am I to assume mine broke in or out?

Thanks, Kurt

 

[Don S]

Re: Alpha one welch plug

You need to start a new thread with your question. Not at the bottom of a 3 year old thread.