Alpha vs.Horsepower

[Freezeon]

I am thinking seriously about buying a 23 ft Wellcraft that has a 454 motor. Top end speed is 50 and cruise is approximately 42. It has a Alfa out drive. Someone has told me that the Alfa will not hold up to the horsepower. He said it should be a Bravo. This is a beautiful boat but, the last thing I want is to buy something at the upper end and have to rebuild! Any advice? Thanks.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Alpha vs.Horsepower

speed costs money. how fast and far ya wanna go?<br />an alpha behind a 454 is a wreck waiting to happen. change the gear lube monthly and only use quicksilver HP gearlube, and pray. the alpha was marginal with a 5.7(350cid) they dont like big blocks

 

[Bondo]

Re: Alpha vs.Horsepower

The Alpha 1 drive was used behind the 454 for only a couple of years preceeding the introduction of the Bravo drives.............<br />The Alpha 1 hasn't been used with a Big Block motor Ever Since..........<br /><br />That "Someone" was telling you the Truth.....<br /><br />Some people have had Good Luck, if they're Careful...<br />But, The Alpha 1 Is Beyond it's designed capabilities when used with a Big Block Motor...........

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Alpha vs.Horsepower

If you are planning on pulling any water skiers, or for that matter any reason that you would want to go from stopped to full throttle, don't even think about it!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Alpha vs.Horsepower

Gotta go with these guys.I had a friend with 350 magnums and alphas and he said he did rebuilds every three years.Charlie

 

[mkast]

Re: Alpha vs.Horsepower

It depends on the weight of your boat. If you want to help things along, see what the gear ratio is. The Alpha One on a big block uses a 1.32 to 1 instead of the standard 1.5 to 1. Then Mercruiser redesigned the gear set (1.32:1) to beefier gears. My 23 footer weighs 2650 empty. I replaced the 350 cu. in. with a 454 an used the regeared Alpha. I know of a guy with a factory Sea Ray 26 footer with a factory 330 hp 454 with an Alpha One. Boat weighs 6500 Lbs. Don't make a habit of blasting out of the hole, I picked up a two speed prop to help getting out of the hole.