Another Alpha vs Pre Alpha question.

[deputydawg]

I want to bother everyone with another question. I read that the alpha 1 outdrive will fit on in place of the pre alpha or R. Is this so and how big of a problem is it? I also read the alpha lower will fit onto the pre alpha upper. This is so confusing, but getting my curiosity up to the point where I have to tear into one to see how it works. <br />Also I found a drive on Ebay that has a 120 sticker on it, came off of a 120 hp boat. Will this work behind a 165hp merc? The only diff should be the gear ratio right?<br />I will be picking up the boat I spoke of the other day as soon as the seller gets the fish finder, skiis and knee board together.<br />All of you have been so great with my questions, thanks more than I can say.

 

[gspig]

Re: Another Alpha vs Pre Alpha question.

If you will bear with me, I will share what I have learned. The "r" lowers will fit the the Alpha uppers. "R" lowers are identified by a spring pin in the top of the driveshaft that goes through the water pump. I don't know if the Alpha upper will accept an "R" lower, but I don't think it will.<br /><br />I currently have 2 "R" outboards, and this is what I have found. One outboard is labled 120/145hp and the other is labled 165hp. The driveshaft from the lowers are different. Both driveshafts have the springpin, but the number of splines are different. The lower housings are otherwise identical. I will assume that putting a 120/145hp outboard on a 165 engine could result in broken shafts or gear teeth. Interestingly, both of my outboards have identical engine to outboard driveshafts, and I was told that the 165 engine required a different driveshaft (longer length).

 

[Bondo]

Re: Another Alpha vs Pre Alpha question.

Swapping the Lower units,+ Upper units can get Extremely Confusing.........<br />(Just read the last 3 sentences of gspig's 1st paragragh..... )<br /><br />The Complete Outdrives Do interchange very simply.............<br />There are Different Gear Ratios(determined by the Upper Gears).....<br />And, Different Lengths of the Input Shaft(8"+, or 9"+).......<br />I Think you'll find the Short Shaft is for the In-line motors... And the Long Shaft for the V motors... <br />Other than that, the Bolt Holes All Line-Up......... <br /><br />gspig,<br />1 of your drives, probably the 120/145 is Older than Dirt......... That's Why you're seeing the Spline Count differences........<br />Used Parts... Or Any Parts are Really getting Hard to Find.............. <br />Fix the 165, or find another 1.....