Alpha 1 upper gears shreded, fixable or junk?!

M

Moe_fix_it

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Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
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Well I finally got the motor and all the electrical bugs fixed and working great in my 1987 211 liberator, so I decided to take it out to lake michigan and it was running great. But about a mile south of the channel on the lake the gears in the upper half of the lower unit decided they want to end there relationship. I got it home and drained the fluid from the drive and it had some tiny little speckales but no major metal shavings. Then I pulled the top cap and there was no oil or even really a trace of oil in there with the mashed up gears and chunks laying in the bottom. How do I figure out what drive ratio I have and I noticed there is a few nicks in the case so im really looking for some pointers as to what I should do and if the upper half of the case is any good and how to tear the bearings and gears off if the upper half is good.
Also wondering if there is anything I can do to make this unit a little stronger and more reliable?
Thanks!
 
E

ENSIGN

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 21, 2009
Messages
1,179
Re: Alpha 1 upper gears shreded, fixable or junk?!

It's going to be cheaper to get a rebuilt upper
 
Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1

Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1

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Joined
Mar 27, 2010
Messages
3,028
Re: Alpha 1 upper gears shreded, fixable or junk?!

Moe_fix_it said:
Well I finally got the motor and all the electrical bugs fixed and working great in my 1987 211 liberator, so I decided to take it out to lake michigan and it was running great. But about a mile south of the channel on the lake the gears in the upper half of the lower unit decided they want to end there relationship. I got it home and drained the fluid from the drive and it had some tiny little speckales but no major metal shavings. Then I pulled the top cap and there was no oil or even really a trace of oil in there with the mashed up gears and chunks laying in the bottom. How do I figure out what drive ratio I have and I noticed there is a few nicks in the case so im really looking for some pointers as to what I should do and if the upper half of the case is any good and how to tear the bearings and gears off if the upper half is good.
Also wondering if there is anything I can do to make this unit a little stronger and more reliable?
Thanks!
Click to expand...

We need your engine info to tell you what ratio you should have in it.

Your best bet cost wise is to not repair that one. Parts and tools required to do it will be almost as much as a brand new SEI aftermarket with a 3-year warranty. Sold right here at Iboats:
http://www.boatmotors.com/motorparts/

There's also a good chance the metal contaminated to lower half and could cause damage down there.
 
spdracr39

spdracr39

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Aug 30, 2010
Messages
1,238
Re: Alpha 1 upper gears shreded, fixable or junk?!

+1 on the SEI replacement. Your gambling if you reuse the lower because if it fails later because of the debris it will contaminate the new upper. It's a vicious cycle. On the brighter side the cost of a whole new SEI Drive is less than it would cost to fix that one :)
 
M

Moe_fix_it

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2011
Messages
13
Re: Alpha 1 upper gears shreded, fixable or junk?!

Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1 said:
We need your engine info to tell you what ratio you should have in it.

Your best bet cost wise is to not repair that one. Parts and tools required to do it will be almost as much as a brand new SEI aftermarket with a 3-year warranty. Sold right here at Iboats:
http://www.boatmotors.com/motorparts/

There's also a good chance the metal contaminated to lower half and could cause damage down there.
Click to expand...

The motor is a 350mag so I believe the gear ratio is 1.50/1 correct? And I have a parts place here in michigan that seems to have a good deal on complete lower units. If I give them my junk lower and $750 I get a newly rebuilt alpha 1 with a 1 year warrenty. Do you guys think that's a good deal? Also I did find water in the bellow so I should probally change the gimbal bearring and the bellows right?
 
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