NHGuy
Captain
- Joined
- May 21, 2009
- Messages
- 3,631
I replaced the input shaft and yoke on my 88 Alpha 1, 2 years ago over the winter to correct an upper seal leak. I used a new old stock shaft which apparently has been superceded, don't have the part number in front of me, but perhaps that's a factor.
Fussed with the rolling torque and got it right as far as I can tell. I couldn't handle the cost of a torque meter so I made a low value measuring device out of a scale and an arm to get my 6 to 10 inch pounds of rolling torque. Perhaps that's a factor.
I reassembled it and used the shimming tool to check my gear mesh which was too wide, took out some shims to improve it, but it was still a bit wide. I ran the boat last summer and the drive whined relative to load and speed.
Drained and checked the Mercruiser high perf gear lube this off season. It was super clean. Like new out of the container clean, no filings even.
This year I painted it with some Moeller aftermarket black that claims to be the equal of Mercruiser Phantom Black. I've used the Phantom before with good results. I also took out a shim to get it closer. While apart I inspected the gears, oiled the gears, and turned the drive by hand and it seemed a little balky. In retrospect I wish I'd done that with the lower remove to isolate the upper gears. The shim distance is still a little over the correct value, but close, within a couple thousandths.
I haven't used it much, still on my first tank of gas. Now it whines in a cyclical manner, it doesn't seen super loud, but it's there. I'd describe as quieter than an old 60's era 4WD truck. But the paint is turning gray. I fear that the graying could indicate the drive is too hot. And, by the way, the engine temp has been correct all the time. I'm uneasy to run at speed.
I'm thinking I'll check the top cap to be sure it's not come loose, reinspect the upper gears for wear, take an look at the magnet on the drain plug for shrapnel.
Is it possible that I caused the upper gears to take a shape that will always make a sound? They looked nice and straight without any wear marks or such. Does this sound I'm describing come back to the bearing pack?
Feeling kinda dumb here...could I have over compressed the bearings or miss shimmed or both? Or do they just get louder with time? My point of reference is my brothers Alpha 1 Gen II which is quiet.
Fussed with the rolling torque and got it right as far as I can tell. I couldn't handle the cost of a torque meter so I made a low value measuring device out of a scale and an arm to get my 6 to 10 inch pounds of rolling torque. Perhaps that's a factor.
I reassembled it and used the shimming tool to check my gear mesh which was too wide, took out some shims to improve it, but it was still a bit wide. I ran the boat last summer and the drive whined relative to load and speed.
Drained and checked the Mercruiser high perf gear lube this off season. It was super clean. Like new out of the container clean, no filings even.
This year I painted it with some Moeller aftermarket black that claims to be the equal of Mercruiser Phantom Black. I've used the Phantom before with good results. I also took out a shim to get it closer. While apart I inspected the gears, oiled the gears, and turned the drive by hand and it seemed a little balky. In retrospect I wish I'd done that with the lower remove to isolate the upper gears. The shim distance is still a little over the correct value, but close, within a couple thousandths.
I haven't used it much, still on my first tank of gas. Now it whines in a cyclical manner, it doesn't seen super loud, but it's there. I'd describe as quieter than an old 60's era 4WD truck. But the paint is turning gray. I fear that the graying could indicate the drive is too hot. And, by the way, the engine temp has been correct all the time. I'm uneasy to run at speed.
I'm thinking I'll check the top cap to be sure it's not come loose, reinspect the upper gears for wear, take an look at the magnet on the drain plug for shrapnel.
Is it possible that I caused the upper gears to take a shape that will always make a sound? They looked nice and straight without any wear marks or such. Does this sound I'm describing come back to the bearing pack?
Feeling kinda dumb here...could I have over compressed the bearings or miss shimmed or both? Or do they just get louder with time? My point of reference is my brothers Alpha 1 Gen II which is quiet.
