Mercruiser 140 alpha one info

igotit

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
134
I came across a deal on a older boat with twin 140 3.0 mercruisers.
Any idea how to identify the year/gen 1 or 2by just a quick look at it?
Owner has no info on boat,says papers are lost.
He started out at $4000 asking price a few mths ago.
Right now
$300 and shes mine.
Hasent ran in about 10 years.

According to this vid.....its a gen 2
https://youtu.be/o_N558BfQzk

Any pros n cons i need to know.
Ive never owned a sterndrive.....always avoided them.



 
Last edited:

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,093
The rams look like GEN II rams,plastic cap and E clip vs nuts. If the motors were properly put to sleep you should be ok. I would pull the plugs and spray some light oil in the bores, Would also take a oil sample or try to drain the engines first. You could have some condensation in the pan
 

igotit

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
134
I pulled both dipsticks,oil looks fresh.
I rolled port by hand,felt tight.
Starbord was really tight.....but it was a quick inspection grabbong the belt and alt pully.
Im going look at it again tomorrow,ill probably buy it even if engines are toast.
Starboard sterndrive bolts are backed off....so im assuming theres problems with it.
Owner recently awuired it and knows nothing about it.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,307
Without paperwork, does it matter? Depending where you live, you may need to take the current owner and get a replacement title in order to transfer ownership
 

igotit

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
134
Thats what im thinking.....parts.
Contacted legal owner this morning,got info to send for lost tittle.
 

igotit

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2015
Messages
134
Well the boat came home with me today
Thanx for the info.
This boat will be a gold mine for donor parts if papers fall through.
I can always use hull as a towable camp for hunting season.
I could use a sterndrive in my other cabin cruiser.
Should beable to get atleast 1 unit up n going.
 
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