alpha 1 out drive

[lancaster0321]

I'm going to look at an alpha 1 out drive first gen tomorrow, I'm wondering what a fair price to pay would be? Also whats some things too look at when buying?

 

[ziggy]

Re: alpha 1 out drive

I'm wondering what a fair price to pay would be?

i've no idea. i would keep in mind that a new sei drive w/ warranty is about $1300 though.

Also whats some things too look at when buying?

guess i'd look for corrosion, + general cleanliness of the drive. i'd drain the gear lub and check for metal fragments and color of the gear lub. when empty of gear lub. i'd pressure/vac test the drive. ya could check the u joints. ya can check to see if it shifts. ya could check drive shaft splines for wear.
them are a few things i can think of.

 

[Don S]

Re: alpha 1 out drive

If the seller changed the gear lube, checking won't tell you much.
With used drives, you are pretty much buying an untested product. You don't know if it leaks, if the gears are failing, if the bearings are noisy, or if the shift dogs and gears are worn and it won't stay in gear.
If the ujoints and shaft are rusty, you can bet the bellows failed, and water WILL get into the drive when that happens.
Short of complete disassembly and inspection, you have no way of knowing it's condition........... Other than the sellers word, and we all know that sellers are just trying to get rid of their junk.

 

[ziggy]

Re: alpha 1 out drive

If the seller changed the gear lube, checking won't tell you much.

it would tell me one of two things. 1, the seller cares about his drive and has performed pm. or, me being pessimistic, i would think the seller is trying to hide something that was evident with a gear lub change. ie. metal fragments, water intruision come to my mind. new gear lub would be a red flag to me.

With used drives, you are pretty much buying an untested product.

Short of complete disassembly and inspection, you have no way of knowing it's condition

agreed, but why wouldn't i, you've taught me much of what i know (or think i know).

Other than the sellers word, and we all know that sellers are just trying to get rid of their junk.

which make everything the seller says very questionable. the seller has motivation to lie even.

fwiw, when i pull my drive at end year, i expect to see 2-4-c still on the nose of the drive, spline lub still on the drive shaft, likely some gimble brg. grease at the 2 seals on the drive shaft. good splines on my drive shaft. nice clean ujoints w/o any rust. clean gear lub, albeit slightly darker than new due to use. also, a easy to remove prop w/ waterproof grease still on the prop shaft.

Don S is right though, it's gotta be a punt at best.