alpha 1 Something to check next time you have your lower unit off

[paultjohnson]

When I changed the Impeller on my Alpha 1. Doing routine inspection/cleanup I went to make sure the little drain hole on the lower starboard side of the gear case was clear. It OH SO wasn't. Come to find out the void in front of the shift shaft that drains out of that hole was nearly full of sand, pebbles and crap. At least 6 in deep. It took a considerable amount of digging around with a screwdriver and a little hose rigged up to a wet/dry vac to clear it out. It also explains why water used to dribble out of that drain hole for a day or more after a boat ride. Now it drains like a pee stream for 15-20 secs and its all done. I would think in a worst case scenario, if you used the boat just before a freeze, there may be enough water trapped in there to freeze and crack stuff. [We do that here in Mn I have been running the boat for 5 plus years with the aft end of the exhaust bellows disconnected. [It had just come off on its own] and I am sure that allowed all that crap in there... Just a little FYI for y'all

 

[ziggy]

Re: alpha 1 Something to check next time you have your lower unit off

It OH SO wasn't. Come to find out the void in front of the shift shaft that drains out of that hole was nearly full of sand, pebbles and crap. At least 6 in deep.

yep, i'm on my 2nd boat. one a '72, one the '75 in my sig. both were just as you described... clean the cavity out and she sure lets the water out now.
sounds like you cleaned yours exactly as i did..

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: alpha 1 Something to check next time you have your lower unit off

I also just performed this operation on my pre-alpha. It took about an hour with a screw driver, piece of wire hanger, and an air compressor. Mine was a mixture of fine silt, gear oil, and sand. I don't know when the last time that drain port was open, but I'm guessing it could have been that way for a decade.