More newbie questions...

[b.lee]

This hole, on top of my Alpha 1 Gen 1 outdrive... what is it for?





This silver blade or 'fin'... is it supposed to be angled sideways like it is? or should it be facing straight back?

Sorry for all the posts... I didn't want to clutter up my other 2 threads.

3rd question.. Can I run my boat in neutral for a brief period of time, without any oil in the outdrive?

 

[wahlejim]

that hole in the top is to access , loosen and turn your tab. The tab helps counteract any 'pulls' from the prop. It helps with steering. Someone has it calibrated at that point for a reason. It looks like a new prop in the picture so it may need some recalibration if you find the boat doesnt steer smoothly or pulls one way or another.

Never run your motor without oil in the outdrive if they are connected. Even if you do pull your outdrive, make sure that you have a way to cool your engine. And always use muffs.

 

[b.lee]

that hole in the top is to access , loosen and turn your tab. The tab helps counteract any 'pulls' from the prop. It helps with steering. Someone has it calibrated at that point for a reason. It looks like a new prop in the picture so it may need some recalibration if you find the boat doesnt steer smoothly or pulls one way or another.

Never run your motor without oil in the outdrive if they are connected. Even if you do pull your outdrive, make sure that you have a way to cool your engine. And always use muffs.

Thank you for the info!
I definitely won't run the engine without gear lube in the outdrive.

Otherwise, I should be able to run the engine for 60-120 seconds without cooling right? (If there is gear lube in the outdrive)

 

[Bt Doctur]

Yes, there is gear lube in the drive to protect it from any overheat BBBBBBBBBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
you will be destroying the impeller, and all the pump components and all the rubber items in the exaust system
running it 10 seconds without a water supply to the drive.
You need an operators manual to read first BEFORE you use the boat.

 

[salty3rd]

Just as importantly, that trim tab also serves as an anode to offset galvanic corrosion, especially in salt water environments.

 

[poconojoe]

Your first picture...there is a rubber plug to cover that access hole. But I don't think it will harm anything without the plug.

 

[b.lee]

Yes, there is gear lube in the drive to protect it from any overheat BBBBBBBBBBBBBBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
you will be destroying the impeller, and all the pump components and all the rubber items in the exaust system
running it 10 seconds without a water supply to the drive.
You need an operators manual to read first BEFORE you use the boat.

Understood, Thanks for the info.
I've always started my boats, jet skis, etc. for 5-10 seconds before leaving for the beach to make sure they run... no problems yet but again I don't want to cause any problems, so I better stop, guess I've just been lucky so far

Just as importantly, that trim tab also serves as an anode to offset galvanic corrosion, especially in salt water environments.

Thanks for the info

Your first picture...there is a rubber plug to cover that access hole. But I don't think it will harm anything without the plug.

I was wondering why it was open like that... thanks for the info!

 

[thumpar]

Jet skis are fine to run out of water as long as you don't let them get to hot. With a boat motor you have an impeller that will tear itself up without water.

 

[b.lee]

Thanks thumpar,

Does anyone know where this wire plugs into? It's coming from the coil and the ignition... I was trying to set the timing and I think in the process of finding the #1 spark plug wire I bumped it off... Looked around for a bit but couldn't find anything?

 

[b.lee]

No Title

 

[b.lee]

Are the screws/plugs for the vent and fill/ drain on the outdrive the same? One of mine is a shallow flat head and the other deep flat head. The shallow one was in the bottom and the deep one in the vent.. Is this right?

The deep one is easier to tighten up because a bigger flat head screw driver fits into it... Seems like it should go in the bottom?

 

[flipbro]

The wire looks like its for your electric choke. The plugs the bottom should have a small magnet the vent is just flat. If both are flat it likely don't matter what position there in. I recommend you buy one with the magnet if you don't already have it..

 

[b.lee]

Well I can't find where those wires plug into... the electric choke is connected.

The boat is running fine so I'm not sure.
The black wire is attached to the main ground on the ignition, and the purple wire is coming from the coil.

I'm thinking maybe this wire was added on to measure RPM's or something with a tachometer?

 

[biggjimm]

A lot of people don't realize that besides the obvious need for water for cooling the engine, it also serves to lubricate & cool the impeller. When dry, the friction & heat it causes can trash an impeller in short order. I had a buddy who always started his boat on the trailer with no water to make sure it " would start" before going to the lake & sure enough he had continuous overheating problems with every boat he's ever owned. Good luck with yours. Jim.

 

[b.lee]

I picked up a set of muffs so now I can start it whenever I want... but yeah, I learn something new everyday!

 

[b.lee]

Does anyone know the size / pitch of the OEM prop this boat would have left the factory with?
I've been searching but I having a hard time locating this info

1986 Four Winns Horizon Brougham 190 5.0L v8 Alpha one outdrive

 

[Alumarine]

Probably a 21p if Aluminum and 19p if Stainless.