Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

[steddy]

I have a 1991 Thompson with a 4.3 Mercruiser & Alpha One outdrive. I'd like to know how to identify a Gen 1 vs Gen 2 outdrive. I had a 1988 Chaparral with 3.0 Alpha One, and they looked pretty much the same, at least on the outside at a glance. Are there any visual defining characteristics between them? Such as a boss or little detail here or there, elongated surface, serial number break, or anything like that?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

Gen II SN: 1991 thru 1995 - 0D469859 Thru 0F679999
and this: http://www.perfprotech.com/store/articles/alpha1-alpha2-sterndrives.aspx

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

Look at your trim cylinders. If they are connected to your out drive via C-clips its an Alpha 1 gen 2. If they are held on with nuts its an Alpha 1...

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

Look at your trim cylinders. If they are connected to your out drive via C-clips its an Alpha 1 gen 2. If they are held on with nuts its an Alpha 1...

Simple as that! There may be plastic covers over the E-clips.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

also, early style gen II drives have a dipstick in the top cap, this was prior to the gear lube monitoring system

 

[steddy]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

I do dare say, then, I have a Generation 1. My trim cylinders aren't held on with c-clips.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

I do dare say, then, I have a Generation 1. My trim cylinders aren't held on with c-clips.

Yes you have an Alpha One pre gen 2...

 

[cr2k]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

Dare say I have never seen a MC drive with a dipstick. They all have the level plug on the side. Maybe some really old stuff? or most OMCs and Volvos

If your drive has 4 obvious bolts and nuts holding the upper and lower together it is a Gen II or a Gen +.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

Dare say I have never seen a MC drive with a dipstick.

the first style gen II drives had the dipstick instead of the gear lube monitor port and lube lines for the bottle

that was the way to quick check the lube level without removing the side plug in the upper

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Alpha One Generation 1 or Generation 2?

...

If your drive has 4 obvious bolts and nuts holding the upper and lower together it is a Gen II or a Gen +.

"Gen + " is an ENGINE designation, and has nothing to do with the drive. For example my boat was a "5.7LX EFI Gen + Bravo"

 

[Jasmcal]

Hello, I know this is an old post.
If I should try and get this info somewhere else please let me know.
I’m trying to figure what GEN my out drive is and I’m confused.
The out drive says “Alpha One” “4.3LX GEN+” on it. The is serial number seems to have worn off.
The boat is a 1997 sea ray 175 bow rider with a 4.3 v6 MerCruiser.
When ordering parts, specifically Gimbal Bear and impeller kits do I need to find “GEN +” or will GEN II work?.

 

[Scott06]

Hello, I know this is an old post.
If I should try and get this info somewhere else please let me know.
I’m trying to figure what GEN my out drive is and I’m confused.
The out drive says “Alpha One” “4.3LX GEN+” on it. The is serial number seems to have worn off.
The boat is a 1997 sea ray 175 bow rider with a 4.3 v6 MerCruiser.
When ordering parts, specifically Gimbal Bear and impeller kits do I need to find “GEN +” or will GEN II work?

Gen plus is the engine.

if the original drive it will have a gen two. Google mercruiser drive identification you will find some parts suppliers who post pics. Gen two has trim cylinders held on with E clips vs nuts on a gen one. Also in front of the prop the gen one is gear housing is completely vertical where gen two is angled back below the cavitation plate

 

[Jasmcal]

Gen plus is the engine.

if the original drive it will have a gen two. Google mercruiser drive identification you will find some parts suppliers who post pics. Gen two has trim cylinders held on with E clips vs nuts on a gen one. Also in front of the prop the gen one is gear housing is completely vertical where gen two is angled back below the cavitation plate

Scott,
Thanks for your help!!!! I thought it was Gen 2 but read so many things I was confusing myself. I really appreciate you taking time to respond.