Alpha one gen one installing lower out drive

[Murphy1600]

I replaced my impeller and have been trying to re-install the lower unit. I have tried using ratchet straps and a floor jack because I am too old and not strong enough to hold it up and try to install it. I have watched countless videos on YouTube and that’s how some people have done it. I got it within about 3/4 of an inch to getting it completely in, all the bolts are lined up and have the very tip sticking through the hole but it won’t go all the way in. Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I should be checking as it’s cinching up. I’ve been trying to do this for the last couple days and I’m getting really frustrated with it. The YouTube videos make it look easy. Should I have the motor all the way up, half way up or down?

 

[Scott06]

I replaced my impeller and have been trying to re-install the lower unit. I have tried using ratchet straps and a floor jack because I am too old and not strong enough to hold it up and try to install it. I have watched countless videos on YouTube and that’s how some people have done it. I got it within about 3/4 of an inch to getting it completely in, all the bolts are lined up and have the very tip sticking through the hole but it won’t go all the way in. Am I doing something wrong? Is there something I should be checking as it’s cinching up. I’ve been trying to do this for the last couple days and I’m getting really frustrated with it. The YouTube videos make it look easy. Should I have the motor all the way up, half way up or down?

is it in gear and have you turned the prop shaft to get the splines in upper and lower lined up?

you might need a second set of hands as I cant imagine lining it up with a floor jack

 

[Murphy1600]

is it in gear and have you turned the prop shaft to get the splines in upper and lower lined up?

you might need a second set of hands as I cant imagine lining it up with a floor jack

Yes, I have it in gear and all the way forward. I do have a helper. No i haven’t tried turning the prop, thank you for the suggestion, I will definitely try it. One question, the copper tube that the white plastic tube goes over, should it be on the lower end unit or the top unit? My friend thinks it should be at the top but when we pulled the lower end it was on the lower end.

 

[Scott06]

Yes, I have it in gear and all the way forward. I do have a helper. No i haven’t tried turning the prop, thank you for the suggestion, I will definitely try it. One question, the copper tube that the white plastic tube goes over, should it be on the lower end unit or the top unit? My friend thinks it should be at the top but when we pulled the lower end it was on the lower end.

I have usually left it on lower. To keep it in gear you need prop on and bungee holding propCCW then turn ccw otherwise it will pop out of gear

 

[Bondo]

One question, the copper tube that the white plastic tube goes over, should it be on the lower end unit or the top unit?

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... I push the copper tube into the upper 1st,.....
Then the plastic tube on the lower, helps to guide the two, together,....

 

[charliedaubitz1]

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... I push the copper tube into the upper 1st,.....
Then the plastic tube on the lower, helps to guide the two, together,....

I had to pay to have mine done, I could do everything BUT remount it. Mine had the plastic water tube, it kept falling out.

 

[Murphy1600]

I have usually left it on lower. To keep it in gear you need prop on and bungee holding propCCW then turn ccw otherwise it will pop out of gear

Unfortunately I think it popped out of gear because the prop would spin freely in both directions. However I did manage to get the copper gear tube back over the thing that it goes over (If that makes any sense) and now I feel resistance from the prop CW but not CCW. Would this be right or am I screwed? When spinning the prop to line up the gears, how do I know if it is lined up? Do I spin the prop and lift up on the lower unit at the same time?

 

[Murphy1600]

I had to pay to have mine done, I could do everything BUT remount it. Mine had the plastic water tube, it kept falling out.

Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,...... I push the copper tube into the upper 1st,.....
Then the plastic tube on the lower, helps to guide the two, together,....

Thank you… I tried putting the plastic tube on the top along with the copper and it sliced through part of the plastic tube. It’s not crushed or anything but has a slice in it about an inch long. Do I need to replace the plastic tube?

 

[Bondo]

Thank you… I tried putting the plastic tube on the top along with the copper and it sliced through part of the plastic tube. It’s not crushed or anything but has a slice in it about an inch long. Do I need to replace the plastic tube?

Ayuh,..... the plastic tube is just to help align the copper tube into the pump cover,.....
plastic tube sits on the pump,....

 

[charliedaubitz1]

another difference in the 2004, the water tube is plastic, there is no copper, just a plastic tube with a curve in it. There is still a white plastic piece that acts as a guide that attaches to the black sleeve with o-rings in it that goes on the impeller cover.

 

[Murphy1600]

Unfortunately I think it popped out of gear because the prop would spin freely in both directions. However I did manage to get the copper gear tube back over the thing that it goes over (If that makes any sense) and now I feel resistance from the prop CW but not CCW. Would this be right or am I screwed? When spinning the prop to line up the gears, how do I know if it is lined up? Do I spin the prop and lift up on the lower unit at the same time?

 

[tank1949]

I built a carriage to reduce weight on me as I moved OD spline into housing/coupler. I used 8"X 8" x2' wood. Old Railroad ties will work well to build up where you rest OD. You may have to shim for a better parallel fit. Then you slide od (not lift.) into housing. Obviously, you should remove prop or OD's flat area (I believe they are referred to as cavitation plates (I maybe wrong)) cannot easily rest on 8"x8"x2'. This carriage reduces the load off YOU as you and a buddy slid OD into place.

 

[Roadking57]

I also have an Alpha One Gen One. Mine wouldnt go flush at first either. I did what the video said. I greased up my alignment tool and shoved it in multiple times. At first I had to gently tap it in with mallet. once in I gave it some very slight taps side to side, up & down, with my hand only, to help the new gimbal bearing line up. I mean I removed, wiped, re-greased and re-installed the line up tool at least 6 times. By then I could shove it in all the way by hand. Then my lower unit slid all the way on. like magic. I never moved the mounts from the orig. position and the grease was even all around end of tool.
Good Luck

 

[Scott06]

Unfortunately I think it popped out of gear because the prop would spin freely in both directions. However I did manage to get the copper gear tube back over the thing that it goes over (If that makes any sense) and now I feel resistance from the prop CW but not CCW. Would this be right or am I screwed? When spinning the prop to line up the gears, how do I know if it is lined up? Do I spin the prop and lift up on the lower unit at the same time?

the prop locks in CW when drive is in reverse, CCW when in fwd.

On a gen one and earlier drives when you split the halves the shift shoe in upper is disconnected from splined shift in lower. this is in the front of the drive.

Turn the shift shaft in lower clockwise this is fwd. Prop shaft should lock in fwd if pressure is put on prop counter clockwise. if you drive upper is still on boat put shifter into fwd to get shift shoe facing the bow. When you put the halves together you can turn prop ccw as you are pushing it in to get splines to line up, doesnt take much get them them aligned

 

[nola mike]

Do yourself a favor and remove the upper as well. In addition to allowing you to inspect your gimbal bearing, bellows, and u-joints, removing the whole drive is just easier. Splitting the drive while it's on the boat is *NOT* a Time saver

 

[tank1949]

I also have an Alpha One Gen One. Mine wouldnt go flush at first either. I did what the video said. I greased up my alignment tool and shoved it in multiple times. At first I had to gently tap it in with mallet. once in I gave it some very slight taps side to side, up & down, with my hand only, to help the new gimbal bearing line up. I mean I removed, wiped, re-greased and re-installed the line up tool at least 6 times. By then I could shove it in all the way by hand. Then my lower unit slid all the way on. like magic. I never moved the mounts from the orig. position and the grease was even all around end of tool.
Good Luck

Rot will cause issues with mounts. Mine did.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

I had the same issues mounting mine, you need to slightly turn the propeller to align the splines.

 

[1985 Century Mustang]

Unfortunately I think it popped out of gear because the prop would spin freely in both directions. However I did manage to get the copper gear tube back over the thing that it goes over (If that makes any sense) and now I feel resistance from the prop CW but not CCW. Would this be right or am I screwed? When spinning the prop to line up the gears, how do I know if it is lined up? Do I spin the prop and lift up on the lower unit at the same time?

Yes you have to jiggle the drive up and down slightly while turning the prop. That's what I did after many tries. It worked for me. Good luck I'm sure you will get it done.

 

[charliedaubitz1]

My water tube is plastic and it had a hole melted in it, I replaced it but while lifting the unit inplace the watertube would fall out. on mine the impeller was good, I replaced it anyway. My riser and manifold had to be replaced to fix it. The circulation pump and stat were fine