I have a 1984 Dixie Boat Works Super Skier 199 with a 260HP Small Block Chevy V8 Mercuriser, Thunderbolt IV ignition and an Alpha 1 drive. Engine sn: 06840683 and the Outdrive (is hard to read) SN: 0314065 or 3314065 . Total hours on the engine is 410 hrs. I bought it with 320hrs 2 seasons ago and it's a fresh water boat in North Carolina.
Background:
Engine and outdrive run great. The outdrive was rebuilt 3yrs ago 1 month after I bought it as a result of fishing line in the outdrive and the oil leaked out. This was from the prior owner who traded it in. Since I bought this from reputable boat dealer who I know personally, they rebuilt the entire outdrive with Mercruiser parts - $2100 for the entire job and I got a very good deal costing me only $700 in labor.
Since then .. No oil leaks, no noises of any kind while idling or running WOT and shifting is clean and quick. It really runs sweet and I've been able to get 57 mph at 4300 RPM which is close to spec given I have a 4 blade prop for better hole shot (spec is 60mph @ 4400 rpm). I have had the boat now entering 3 years and have had it serviced professionally in the fall as I watch while they change the outdrive oil, lube the prop, replace the impeller, drain the water and fog the engine - all this goes well.
My questions are purely of learning and also preventative in nature:
Q1) My prop has some play in/out and would like to know what's normal . I have read about 1/8" seems normal so would like to confirm is this normal for an older 84 Alpha I outdrive?
Q2) When I freely spin my prop there is a gear rotating and meshing noise. Not at all a grinding noise but it is loud enough to be noticeable as the gears freely rotate with the prop. It's not the thrust bearing or anything with the prop hub - that's all normal and secure to 55ftlbs. Is this noise normal for an older Alpha I ?
Q3) The gear noise essentially disappears when I freely spin the prop when it's pulled away from the outdrive (when the play is such that it's pulled out while spinning). Is this normal for an Alpha I?
When I freely spin other outdrives on boats that are stored near mine - they seem to have slightly less or no play but not the gear noise, mine is more noticeable than the others. These are all newer boats both outboards and I/O Mercruisers or Volvo Pentas.
Any insight or advice is welcome.
Many thanks .. Mark
Background:
Engine and outdrive run great. The outdrive was rebuilt 3yrs ago 1 month after I bought it as a result of fishing line in the outdrive and the oil leaked out. This was from the prior owner who traded it in. Since I bought this from reputable boat dealer who I know personally, they rebuilt the entire outdrive with Mercruiser parts - $2100 for the entire job and I got a very good deal costing me only $700 in labor.
Since then .. No oil leaks, no noises of any kind while idling or running WOT and shifting is clean and quick. It really runs sweet and I've been able to get 57 mph at 4300 RPM which is close to spec given I have a 4 blade prop for better hole shot (spec is 60mph @ 4400 rpm). I have had the boat now entering 3 years and have had it serviced professionally in the fall as I watch while they change the outdrive oil, lube the prop, replace the impeller, drain the water and fog the engine - all this goes well.
My questions are purely of learning and also preventative in nature:
Q1) My prop has some play in/out and would like to know what's normal . I have read about 1/8" seems normal so would like to confirm is this normal for an older 84 Alpha I outdrive?
Q2) When I freely spin my prop there is a gear rotating and meshing noise. Not at all a grinding noise but it is loud enough to be noticeable as the gears freely rotate with the prop. It's not the thrust bearing or anything with the prop hub - that's all normal and secure to 55ftlbs. Is this noise normal for an older Alpha I ?
Q3) The gear noise essentially disappears when I freely spin the prop when it's pulled away from the outdrive (when the play is such that it's pulled out while spinning). Is this normal for an Alpha I?
When I freely spin other outdrives on boats that are stored near mine - they seem to have slightly less or no play but not the gear noise, mine is more noticeable than the others. These are all newer boats both outboards and I/O Mercruisers or Volvo Pentas.
Any insight or advice is welcome.
Many thanks .. Mark
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