Alpha one MR lower seal kit?

[csparks]

thanks in advance for help. I have a 1989 alpha one MR outdrive mated to a 5.7 mercruiser. I'm in the midst of a restoration. I ordered a lower unit seal kit and was planning on installing but I'm concerned how difficult it will be? I feel comfortable with impeller service and have performed this in the past..... But this lower seal kit has quite a few pieces. Special tools? Difficulty?

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha one MR lower seal kit?

special tools to have would be retainer wrench, pinion nut tool, and the splined shaft tool - all outlined in the OEM manual and are available for purchase online from vaious sources

shouldn't be too difficult for a mechanically inclined person to swap out the seals, the special tools are handy and fairly necessary to achieve proper torque values when reassembling

 

[csparks]

Re: Alpha one MR lower seal kit?

I was looking at the service manual....seems like this is a fairly involved process. This drive hasn't seen action in about 7 years and I was just trying to do a complete job to ensure dependability....but is this something i really need to do?

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Alpha one MR lower seal kit?

Options (just to mention a few, and not in order of preference):
Dont do anything and just chance it.
Do a pressure test of the drive to confirm any/all leaking seals and address the ones you need to replace.
Replace all the seals (probably spending money you dont need to spend on seals that dont need replacing.

How was the drive cared for over the 7 year hiatus, and how did you originally determine you needed a lower seal kit?
Did you order your impeller/pump kit?

 

[csparks]

Re: Alpha one MR lower seal kit?

I'm not sure about care of this drive over the past 7 years except that it was in on the boat at slip in water for 4 years and then on trailer for the last 3 with no use. I did order an impeller kit and will install. I did not pressure test but I had planned on doing seals while I had it tore down. Should I install impeller kit before I pressure test?

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Alpha one MR lower seal kit?

I'd say to pull the drive off the boat, drain the oil (and sample/note the condition of the oil) do a pressure test to see whatcha got, then go after what you need to fix as indicated by the test, in addition to the pump replacement and the other typical drive-off-the-boat preventive maintenance items. Then after you are done, I would do a pressure test of each half before putting back together, then a final one before putting the drive back on the boat and filling up with oil.