1989 4.3L Alpha drive maintenance / inspection

[kramerpage]

My marina has the entire sterndrive and engine at their shop. They give a discount to winter work projects. This drive has never given me issues in the 14 years Ive owned it.
My question is this. How invasive do you get to "freshen up" a sterndrive? Leave well enough alone? This is a freshwater drive with 1500 hours more than three quarters is slow trolling and idling.

My maintenance schedule has been pull the drive every 2 years for inspections and alignment and water pump service. All by my marina. I want them to service it so I can pick it up and get it to the paint shop. Thanks

Geee Whizzz. I guess some days my head is in the clouds.... This is a Volvo Forum

 

[alldodge]

If it aint broke don't fix it

 

[tpenfield]

Your wallet is now in the shop's hands. Even though it ain't broke, a shop could find lots to do considering the out drives age. Hopefully, they will go easy on you

 

[kramerpage]

Well its time for a water pump impeller and U Joints I know that. But anything beyond that I don't know enough about drives to comment. I'm fortunate that my marina is very reasonable and family owned for 4 generations. Thanks I'm thinking leave well enough alone if there are not any comments suggesting otherwise.

 

[muc]

If they are doing the u-joints, have them replace the yoke seal and take a close look at the yoke.
Make sure the water pump base has been replaced in the last few years.
Maybe ask them how much to replace the shift shaft seal bushing,that was a common source of leaks

Some say "if it ain't broke don't fix it"
I say "maintain it so it don't break"

 

[kramerpage]

If they are doing the u-joints, have them replace the yoke seal and take a close look at the yoke.
Make sure the water pump base has been replaced in the last few years.
Maybe ask them how much to replace the shift shaft seal bushing,that was a common source of leaks

Some say "if it ain't broke don't fix it"
I say "maintain it so it don't break
Ok Muc. I will do that. Thank you. Ive put hundreds of hours into this resto so im want to do my due diligence. The service manger stated the u joints are ready. Not horrible but he knows about the resto I'm doing and the high level of maintenance I do. They are great very hard working guys who has made my boating experience on the great Lakes safe and enjoyable. There is so much knowledge on this forum I always ask beforehand and it has worked out very well.

 

[alldodge]

Hey just heard someone say, while there at it replace the gears in the upper, or maybe the lower. Next thing someone else will say replace the drive and it will take care of everything.

One thing about iboats there is a never ending amount of opinions