Mercruiser Outdrive swap.

[Kauaiboy206]

I've got a 1979 sun runner with a mercruiser mcm 470 per tag, but the serial numbers on the stickers are both too worn to read on engine & outdrive. My dilemma is that the"port hole" not sure if it's the proper term is corroded causing water to go in bellows and gimbal even with a new seal. I was wondering if I can swap out the bell housing from a Mercruiser alpha 1? I can get my hands on a full transom/gimbal with trim "forks" assembly without upper/lower for a reasonable price locally. The alpha 1 assembly also have the trim sensor & limit attached which I also need to replace on my pre-alpha due to wires fraying and exposing the wires. Thanks in advance "new to boating & inherited the 79' sun runner which is made here in Northwest, WA

 

[Kauaiboy206]

This is the actual picture of the item I'm planning to purchase if parts are able to swap/bolt on.

 

[crazy charlie]

An alpha one drive is interchangeable with the prealpha and will bolt up as a good update.Not sure about the rest of the bell housing set up fitting the boat.

 

[Kauaiboy206]

An alpha one drive is interchangeable with the prealpha and will bolt up as a good update.Not sure about the rest of the bell housing set up fitting the boat.

That is what I kind of understand based on some of the other post I've been reading; although I was hoping to see if I didnt need to remove my entire transom/gimbal assembly and swap out the entire set up. The Alpha one set up will cost me $150, which trim sensors/limit alone is already at $75 so technically I would be saving half the price; I just can't find pre-alpha assembly at a reasonable price or locally.

 

[crazy charlie]

Sounds like you are headed for a nice upgrade in equipment.You will find the answer here Im sure.I swapped the Alpha one for the prealpha on a Searay I had years ago.My gut tells me you will be able to but sit tight,pleanty of experts here to answer that part of the question for you.Charlie

 

[Kauaiboy206]

Bit the bullet and took a chance, pre fitted prior to handing the money and my pre-alpha upper actually all lines up with all the bolts on the "Alpha One Bell housing"

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would pull the whole 470/MC drive combo and put in a 4.3/A1G2 combo

 

[Kauaiboy206]

I would pull the whole 470/MC drive combo and put in a 4.3/A1G2 combo

But that would require me to purchase Gen 2 parts, Im not really trying to upgrade. The alpha 1 transom/gimbal assembly was available locally for $120; so with this deal, I was able to get the trim sender & limit replaced & hopefully remove the bell housing and install it to my MC-1 "pre-alpha". I could possibly sell those power trim xd to recoupe some money spent for the assembly.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The outdrive is fine.....its the platypus of a motor in front of it that I would replace. the newer drive would be a bonus

 

[Bondo]

I was able to get the trim sender & limit replaced & hopefully remove the bell housing and install it to my MC-1 "pre-alpha".

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,... As per the pm ya sent me,... I Don't know,....

 

[Kauaiboy206]

Sounds like you are headed for a nice upgrade in equipment.You will find the answer here Im sure.I swapped the Alpha one for the prealpha on a Searay I had years ago.My gut tells me you will be able to but sit tight,pleanty of experts here to answer that part of the question for you.Charlie

Could help me identify the name of the part where the lower shift piece that connects on the upper unit shift slot. I'm trying to find out the parts diagram for it; the lower shift thing is loose and can move up or down freely, so maybe I'm missing a rubber seal or something else after re-installing. When I reinstalled it, it only had a washer and a pin the goes through the shifter itself. So now when I place my gear into forward and try to spin the prop, it makes a clicking sound and that piece is what seems to be the culprit.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,... That's supposed to be pretty loose fittin',... The washer on the shift spool holds it up to engage the U-shaped shoe,....

Sounds like the lower cable needs adjustin' or replacin',....

 

[Kauaiboy206]

Ayuh,... That's supposed to be pretty loose fittin',... The washer on the shift spool holds it up to engage the U-shaped shoe,....

Sounds like the lower cable needs adjustin' or replacin',....

But it shouldn't be that loose that it falls down and not engage that horseshoe. Ive read some other old post and it sounds like I'm missing a rubber piece & washer that sits below that shift shaft.

 

[Bondo]

But it shouldn't be that loose that it falls down and not engage that horseshoe. Ive read some other old post and it sounds like I'm missing a rubber piece & washer that sits below that shift shaft.

Ayuh,... My guess is, ya forgot the washer,....