Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

[truckermatt]

Hello,

i have a 1983 wellcraft elite with a Mercruiser Alpha 1 drive. and when i bought it, the outdrive was removed for storage. But now i want to get it "dewinterized" but i cannot get the outdruve installed.

I put the boat in forward, and line up the shift shat on the outdrive and the bell housing, but i wont slide in all the way, about 1 inch left.

I also rotate the prop counterclockwise in hopes to move the spline to it will catch, but still no go.


Any suggestions.

 

[Zackman]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Did you check the alignment?​

 

[JustJason]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Check your alignment as Zackman says.... then give it the Mercury Kick

 

[kblaksley]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Hello,

i have a 1983 wellcraft elite with a Mercruiser Alpha 1 drive. and when i bought it, the outdrive was removed for storage. But now i want to get it "dewinterized" but i cannot get the outdruve installed.

I put the boat in forward, and line up the shift shat on the outdrive and the bell housing, but i wont slide in all the way, about 1 inch left.

I also rotate the prop counterclockwise in hopes to move the spline to it will catch, but still no go.


Any suggestions.

Hello,

Did you lube the gimble bearing o-rings? Sounds to me like your there but o-rings are keeping you from going the rest of the way. (They sit about an inch back)

Wiggle and jiggle or remove, investigate, lube up the o-rings and try try again.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

First off, check the aligmnment. If everything is okay then buy an outdrive gasket kit. Then download mercruiser manual #6 from the ao sticky thread and follow the steps outlined there.

My guess is the alignment may be out of spec a little but what is happening is the two o-rings on the splined shaft on the drive are hanging up in the gimbal bearing. A little light grease will solve that problem.

Good Luck!

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

the alignment of what may i ask..... the spindle shaft of the little brass gear selector on the drive?

I gave it the boot, but no go..... I wish the boat was another foot higher in the air, that way i wouldnt be working at a goofy angle.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

and after the alignment is right, when assembling it. be sure the drive is absolutely even and parallel with the bellhousing. a small twist of the prop to align the coupler splines and it'll just slide right on. when it's perfectly lined up, after the alignment..

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

no i did not put any grease on the shaft or the o-rings..... i will try that..

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

and after the alignment is right, when assembling it. be sure the drive is absolutely even and parallel with the bellhousing. a small twist of the prop to align the coupler splines and it'll just slide right on. when it's perfectly lined up, after the alignment..

i cant got the drive parallel with the bell house because the boat is too low on the trailer i have to angle the bell housing up and then push... otherwise the skag goes into the grass.

 

[kblaksley]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

no i did not put any grease on the shaft or the o-rings..... i will try that..

Also equally important; "Did you lube your splines"? They will wear out quicker than you can shake a stick.

You should pick up a mercruiser manual. Lots of good toilet material.

 

[kblaksley]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

i cant got the drive parallel with the bell house because the boat is too low on the trailer i have to angle the bell housing up and then push... otherwise the skag goes into the grass.

I assume you have lowered front jack so back end will be in the air right?
Most run abouts on trailers can be lowered in order to run engine and service drive with oil with drive level.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Also equally important; "Did you lube your splines"? They will wear out quicker than you can shake a stick.

You should pick up a mercruiser manual. Lots of good toilet material.

i will lube the spline too... ( dark out now)... and i do have the orginal mercrusier manual for the motor and i also have a clymers repair manual...... neither of them helped, Yet

also when you say alignment, what part should i loom for.... the little brass shift knob on the outdrive.... i made sure that was good to accept the part on the boat.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

darn it.... i never even thought of that..... my trailer tongue is touching the stars its so high...

Thanks for the tip.

 

[meesh]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

When they are asking you about alignment they are talking about inserting an alignment bar through the gimbal bearing and into the coupler on the back of the engine. A manual will give you the exact procedure or search alignment on this forum and you will find all kinds of info. I also have an alfa and when the alignment is correct it will slide right on. It may be a little stiff when you get to the o rings but I have never had to kick one on. If that's the case it's out of alignment!!!!!!!!!

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Truckermatt..In case you havent seen this..Take a look here and download your manual here...

look
http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm


download
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=251571


good luck

 

[coastalcruiser]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

When they are asking you about alignment they are talking about inserting an alignment bar through the gimbal bearing and into the coupler on the back of the engine. A manual will give you the exact procedure or search alignment on this forum and you will find all kinds of info. I also have an alfa and when the alignment is correct it will slide right on. It may be a little stiff when you get to the o rings but I have never had to kick one on. If that's the case it's out of alignment!!!!!!!!!

That's good advice, the bar has to slide in real easy, the way you use one is lightly grease the end that goes into the engine coupler.
Take it out and look to see that the lines the coupler makes are even all the way around.
I my case installing a new motor I found short marks on top of the bar, lowered the engine bit by bit until the bar slid in.
Cheers,
Rob

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Not to beat a dead horse here... but you really do need to check the alignment. It will probably be possible for you to physically get the outdrive back on without doing the alignment - especially after you lower the trailer tongue.

But if your alignment is off, then you will destroy your coupler in a short amount of time. Then you will have to be towed in and spend a bunch of money repairing things. Go ahead and spring for an alignment tool and read up on how to align the engine. It is a skill well worth learning!

 

[searay3]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Make sure you have the prop locked in forward gear also or you are hitting the shift dog trying to put it on...Move the dog straight forward as you lock the prop and the hold it with a bungee while assembling....

 

[truckermatt]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

Not to beat a dead horse here... but you really do need to check the alignment. It will probably be possible for you to physically get the outdrive back on without doing the alignment - especially after you lower the trailer tongue.

But if your alignment is off, then you will destroy your coupler in a short amount of time. Then you will have to be towed in and spend a bunch of money repairing things. Go ahead and spring for an alignment tool and read up on how to align the engine. It is a skill well worth learning!

Thanks for the tip.... But the previous owner just removed the outdrive for storage reasons. so i would assume the engine is in alignment.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser Alpha1 is hard to install

i have a 1983 wellcraft elite with a Mercruiser Alpha 1 drive.
But the previous owner just removed the outdrive for storage reasons. so i would assume the engine is in alignment.

Ayuh,.... It's 26 Years Old,.... I'd Assume Nothing....