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    Help ID aftermarket sterndrive

    I just came into possession of a 97 Maxum withe 454 Chevy and Bravo 3. The outdrive has obviously been replaced, and I assume it is aftermarket, as it has no serial number in the normal location, and I can’t find any identifying information on it anywhere. Can anyone shed a little light on this...
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    U Joint bellows orientation

    Hi all, I'm getting ready to install the bellows on alpha1 gen1, and there is no marking on the bellows as to position, as is mentioned in various manuals. I've looked under the clamps, inside and out, nothing. The bellows has two "flats" on it on one end. Are these an indicator of position...
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    Alpha1 Gen1 reassembly sequence

    Another question about the "putting it back together" thing. I currently have everything off the boat. I have done some freshening up of the upper and lower gear housings, and reassembled the power unit. The transom assembly is off the boat. The bell housing is removed. Gimbal bearing is...
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    Alpha 1 gen 1 water hose

    Hi everyone, Does anyone know if there is a pre-formed version of the 5/8" gen-1 transom-to-bell housing hose available anywhere? I have the 3/4" preformed hose but I think it's really for Gen2, and I don't like the idea of squishing it down that much with hose clamps. I also have the straight...
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    Seal orientation

    Hi all, I’ve searched the forum and found one or two related posts, but I’m still confused on this. I’m replacing the seals in the upper housing on my alpha 1 gen 1. My manual (which is really for R/MR, up to 1983) says that the lower seal should have a lip facing toward the driven gear - in...
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    Hunting for Gen 1 SN

    Hi all, I've been hunting for the serial number on my Alpha1 gen1. I've read all the guides that say there's a tag somewhere on the upper gear housing. I have found nothing. My ultimate reason for trying to track it down is that I understand there was a change in how the input (yoke) bearing...
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    Stern drive woes

    Hi all, Among the things I didn’t think I’d have to worry too much about, I’m now finding that my stern drive is perhaps in need of a lot of work. This is an alpha 1 gen 1, around 1984. First thing is the lower unit. Ive removed the water pump and when I turn the driveshaft I get a sound that I...
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    Output shaft slop

    Seems like my last few questions are about how things fit. Question now is about output shaft fit. Is there any rule of thumb or guideline about how much play is allowable in this joint? I know the right answer is probably “none”, but this unit has operated fine for years and I don’t think...
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    Bell housing side play

    Can anyone point me to a spec for side play tolerance on the bell housing on mc-1 (1980)? Seems a little excessive but there’s no slop up and down. Could be the shim washers have worn? Thx.
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    Help with MC ID

    Hi, I'm sure you guys get tired of the same old questions, but I'm struggling ID-ing the exact model of gimbal housing I have. The boat is very old and been updated several times. The sterndrive itself is an early alpha-1. This gimbal housing is pre-alpha. It has the slightly larger transom...
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    Transom/engine bay repairs

    Hi all, I started this adventure with a thread on the Mercruiser repair section, but now I'm doing hull work so I thought I'd get a fresh start. I know there is a lot of information out there regarding transom/stringer repairs and the like, but I have a question about a specific aspect of that...
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    Help with frozen Y pipe bolt

    Hi all, I have first gen alpha and trying to remove Y pipe. This style has only three bolts, the bottom one being long and having an allen head. Wouldn't you know it was frozen. I eventually ruined the allen socket, so I figured the thing to do would be cut off the head and try to work the pipe...
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