Alpha One with big block?

[john007]

I have a 1988 Sea Ray Sundancer 268 with the 7.4 L. engine and a newer Alpha One drive. I have been told to expect problems. Any way to extend the drive life? What about conversion to Bravo?

 

[JB]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

Moving to I/O

 

[vinney]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

There is a heavy duty gear set made for the upper gear set when that Alpha was put behind a big block. If you have the drive serviced every year and have someone who knows that drive check the back lash and shimming That drive is bullet proof. We have put 500 horse to the Alpha one with the H.D. gear set. If you keep it tight(back lash) and don't jump it out of the water You will be fine. The weak link in the drive is the 90 degree gear set in the upper. Thats why they made a H.D. gear set.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

Lots of Alpha drives out there running big HP and torque through them. Lighter, less resistance, they will hold up well if you use some sense.<br /><br />Some secrets to keeping them in one piece:<br />1. Install a drive shower<br />2. Run synthetic oil in drive<br />3. Do NOT slam throttle out of the hole<br />4. Do NOT catch air and land w/o throttleing back<br />5. Install a drive resivoir

 

[MooseHootie]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

My brother boat has a 1974 454 7.4. It has torn up 4 drive couplers in three years. Number four is going in tonight. Kept tearing up alpha couplers just tore up a bravo 14 inch coupler last weekend. Mercruiser said that this coupler is twice as strong.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

MooseHootie,<br />Your Brothers boat has a Serious Alignment Problem.............<br />Or,<br />If it's taking the Splines Out,<br />The Input Shaft on the outdrive is Boogered Up.......

 

[vinney]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

Or JUMPS the boat out of the water like my bother does. My brother has blown more engines, gear sets,couplers,He has been the best testing of componets I have ever seen. Big blocks, small blocks, on the gas(nitrous)and blowers.The only problem is he has keys to the shop and tears out a new engine and always tells me to Write it off. I always say to who? Santa Claus.

 

[jay dezman]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

time to change the locks.....

 

[mkast]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

john007,<br />Before I setup a big block with Alpha 1, I talked to a shop that did Alpha rebuilds. <br />The biggest reason the Alpha's were breaking, owners were taking boats like yours (read heavy) across Lake Michigan at WOT, or, long periods at WOT. No drive showers or syn lube then. Like vinney said, no hole shots. Don't run at wot, cruise, that's what a 26 footer is built for. I know of a 1988 BB/Alpha in Janesville, WI, this guy swears by them, no problems at all, adult run boat, regular maintenance. In my case, I installed this in a 2700 lbs. boat, no weight.<br /><br />MooseHootie,<br />I agree with Bondo, it's not the coupler. I started with the original coupler, three seasons looked like new. Changed to the Bravo only because it showed up through barter deal.

 

[snowmon]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

i ran a 30 foot sonic that weighed in around 8000lbs with twin efi small blocks dyno'd at 400 hp each. had alpha ss drives which were nothing more than alphas with hd gears and crescent lowers and never had a problem. i did my share of 5 footers over 10 yrs. with regular maintenance that is a good drive.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha One with big block?

Originally posted by john007:<br /> Any way to extend the drive life? [/end QUOTE]<br />There sure is!! Use your boat the way it was intended to be used.It is not a speed boat so dont do hole shots and dont go wot.Synthetic lube is a must and consider a doel fin type of attachment for the drive which will get you on plane without much throttle and keep you on plane at much lower speeds.