Looking to upgrade outdrive

[Rangerboat26]

Hi everyone, I have a 79 Sea Ray that needs a new transom, boat was repowered recently with a replacement for my mercruiser 260, with a remanufactured 300hp engine (though I'll believe it when I see it wasn't exactly thrilled with the company I got it from). I have done transoms before and alot of work on boats so I am not afraid of the repair and am aware of what I'm doing and going to be spending. I have a Alpha One drive that I'm thinking about replacing, was thinking of upgrading to a Alpha Generation II. My question is it even worth it? or should I stick with the Alpha gen. one setup? I know I need a new gimbal housing to do this was going to pretty much junk the old one anyhow when I do the repair its seen better days. Was also wondering if I need anything else like a different engine coupler, or anything shifting related (cables, etc.) and what are any major pros to having a gen II over a gen I. I researched Bravos but decided too expensive and I want to spare the weight. Thanks...

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Looking to upgrade outdrive

300 hp is the max listed for a A1 though you can google and find guys that run with more HP than that with no issues.

You'll want to install a drive shower and do regular maintenance on the drive.

Mark

 

[Bondo]

Re: Looking to upgrade outdrive

and what are any major pros to having a gen II over a gen I.

Ayuh,.... Donno's there Are any,.... Other than it's current production...

The water pumps are supposedly an improvement over the originals, but is prone to vacuum leakage I hear...

The major change in the shift linkage is the change in the transom assemblies,...
Don't see the improvement, just different...

Donno if the housings are just different lookin', or maybe atad beefier is spots to help with case flex,...
again, Donno...

If ya gotta swap out the transom assembly, I'd up-date,....
Otherwise, I think the '84/ '85 transom is 'bout the Best, as it's got the most Zerks for Greasin'....

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Looking to upgrade outdrive

Ranger, if you already have junk transom assembly stuff, then sure, upgrade to the Gen II. You'll need everything from the coupler back. Well, not the prop, those all fit from Alpha One to Gen 2 to Bravo 1.
Gen II are beefier than a Gen 1, but still shift the same. The Bravo is definately the way to go, but they are a lot more money. I don't think the added weight of a Bravo is as severe as you make it out to be.

Your 300hp remanned engine will not destroy an Alpha One, though. So don't think you HAVE to replace it because your engine is just too powerful. SO if you find a deal on the Alpha One parts that you need, get them.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Looking to upgrade outdrive

Gen II has basically the same inside it was just redesigned to be easier (cheaper) to manufacture. IMHO not worth the trouble to upgrade to. They seems to be more prone to leaks and the seals are not as good.
The main difference is SS impeller housing.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Looking to upgrade outdrive

Your 300hp remanned engine will not destroy an Alpha One, though. So don't think you HAVE to replace it because your engine is just too powerful. SO if you find a deal on the Alpha One parts that you need, get them.

I'll also add that a LOT of these REMAN companies claim high HP engines but offer NO (dyno) proof to back it up or they rate the HP at more than 5000 RPM (where you probably won't ever be running anyway.....)

Also, 300 HP means 300 PROPSHAFT hp. In round numbers, that would be approx 330 crankshaft HP.

 

[Rangerboat26]

Re: Looking to upgrade outdrive

I'll also add that a LOT of these REMAN companies claim high HP engines but offer NO (dyno) proof to back it up or they rate the HP at more than 5000 RPM (where you probably won't ever be running anyway.....)

Also, 300 HP means 300 PROPSHAFT hp. In round numbers, that would be approx 330 crankshaft HP.

Wow, I thank everyone for the speedy response this is my first time posting so..... Yeah I agree I'm skeptical of the "advertised" horsepower until I literally see it on a dyno especially after my dealings with this company. (U.S. Engines) which I'll save for another post. It supposedly has a better cam, but I gotta remain pessimistic and assume its somewhere between stock 260 and 300hp. Not too concerned about that pretty sure the alpha will handle it no prob. So far its looking like not worth it unless I make the jump to Bravo. Which I guess I'm being a little too stingy as far as the extra weight I agree, brand new is by far more then I want to pay for on a Bravo but I might research the used market a little bit. This is more of a "while I'm fixing the transom type of project" which is why i'm contemplating upgrading the drive. As for the gimbal housing it needs, rings, bellows, gimbal bearing, trim tilt cylinders the works which is why i'm considering pawning it and getting a new one which sets up the possibility of a different drive configuration. Call me nuts but the boat was free and I've gotten more then what I paid for out of it for that price, considering I ran the old engine till I had to retire it.....

 

[Don S]

Re: Looking to upgrade outdrive

Since you don't mind changing the gimbal housing too, go for it. You will need the inner transom plate and exhaust Y as well. The drives do have some leakage issues that the earlier drives didn't but those are fixed with a couple of new parts with a better material. They also have a much better raw water pump, and the bellows is a lot easier to replace. They are also a lot more streamlined if you like that fast look.