Alpha one shift shaft seal?

[cyberfighter]

Just put together a top and lower unit from SEI model 106 (Alpha one GEN 1)

All went well except when it came time to install the shift shaft in it's hole (top section), I found it was real lose in there, like it's missing a bushing or seal.
The hole is about 1 inch in diameter but the shift shaft is only half of that, if not smaller.

Just by looking at it I'm thinking something is wrong as water would have no problem getting in there, but then, I went to the manual, section 6a3r3 page 12 item 19 seems like whats missing, but lower down on page 26, it's saying bushing (a) *not used on later models.
Is mine a later model? It's a '89

Still don't think it's a good ideal to have so much loose so water can get in if it's not needed, can someone help me out, I'm confused...

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha one shift shaft seal?

Ayuh,... If I read you right,... It's a Wet area both inside,+ out at that point,...
No seal needed...

 

[45Auto]

Re: Alpha one shift shaft seal?

If you're talking about the upper, you need that cavity sealed. Any water in there goes straight into the bottom of the shift cable, which is probably why your's crapped out in the first place!

Go about halfway down this page and you'll see pics of the Alpha brass shift shaft bushings and seals. Not sure on the SEI uppers, but I would guess that they are the 3/4" diameter later style.

http://www.mercstuff.com/bellhousingstuff.htm

I'm not real clear on what you have. Is the top and lower unit both SEI, or just the lower unit with your old Mercruiser upper? If it's a 1989 Alpha 1 Gen 1 upper you'll want the upgrade kit.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Alpha one shift shaft seal?

i think your ok too.
theres the shift shaft in the lower. it has a seal at the top of the shaft sealing the lower.
theres the shift shaft in the bellhousing, it has a seal at the bottom of the bellhousing, like in 45's link. it has a seal at the bottom of it. sealing the bellows area.
then the shift shaft in the upper which i think is a wet area too. no seal on that middle piece. it's the piece that has the female side of the coupler in it. it's a real loose fit.. its the connection between the bellhousing shift shaft and the lower shift shaft.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Alpha one shift shaft seal?

I asked the same thing when I purchased my first drive from them. I found out there is nothing missing, the "sloppiness" is normal. I've had good luck with their drives by the way!

 

[jtybt]

Re: Alpha one shift shaft seal?

The bushings in the bell housing would not be part of the OD.

Merc has a bushing and seal incorporated in the retaining nut that holds the lower shift shaft in the lower housing. It's about 1" in diameter and has a slot in the top to install.

I don't know about sei

 

[cyberfighter]

Re: Alpha one shift shaft seal?

I asked the same thing when I purchased my first drive from them. I found out there is nothing missing, the "sloppiness" is normal. I've had good luck with their drives by the way!

Thanks to all who replied, got to love this place

Also had a reply from Tech at SEI, normal, nothing missing you don't need a seal there.
So on the boat it goes!

Glad to hear you have good luck with them Fishermark, hopefully I'll be saying the same in a year or so.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Alpha one shift shaft seal?

The bushings in the bell housing would not be part of the OD

Oops, yall are right about that! Was reading "shift shaft" and thinking "shift cable" for some reason.

As everyone else said, there ain't nothing there around the top of that lower shift shaft