servicing the impellor on my alpha one

[EG]

Just bought a 21' GlasPly with a 5.0litre MercCruiser and Alpha One outdrive. The motor and drive were purchased new in '98 by the previous owner. They have 170 hours on them now.<br /><br />The temp runs up at idle, and I noticed that water does not circulate until I hit about 800-1000 rpm; at that speed or higher the temp stabilizes. I've replaced the thermostat and I'm going to replace the impellor. This is an open cooling system. I have a few questions. <br /><br />Is it OK to remove the lower unit with the outdrive in the 'trailer' position? I don't think I'll have room to drop it unless the drive is at least partially up. The other option would be to remove the entire drive and seperate the LU on the bench. That would also give me an opp to grease some parts. Is dropping the entire drive a difficult procedure? <br /><br />Thanks in advance, and apologies if this was already addressed in this forum.<br />EG

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

Yes you can do it in the traler position. But I would take the whole drive off to grease u-joints & have a look inside the bellows. It's easier to do the impeller on the bench.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

The drive removal & install are easy. I would get myself a manual for the impeller change though.

 

[EG]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

Is it just the cylinders and the six bolts that have to come loose in order to remove the drive? How heavy is the drive unit?<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />EG

 

[jeff13601]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

JKopec is right. Pull the drive off. Not only can you inspect things but it will be easier all around

 

[cosander]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

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

 

[milkyway]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

The entire thing is heavy. YOu can first remove the lower part. Then remove the upper. I needed two men ( 1 was the spotter) to help me put the entire back it. First time to do it and it was good experience. When you remove the upper, you also need to replace seals and gaskets. Follow the link of cosander. It's all there.You have to check and replace many things. One advise I got to be sure the oil seals are installed correctly is to do pressure testing. I did not do this, but I have no water in the oil so far.<br /><br />Can you elaborate on your question? "remove the lower unit with the outdrive in the 'trailer' position?"

 

[jeff13601]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

He means with the drive trimmed up

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: servicing the impellor on my alpha one

He means the lower part of the out-drive,[gear case], and on trailer setting. You can do it yourself [Whole drive] if you're in decent physical shape. When you pull it off, make sure skeg is just touching ground and you wont have to lift.