What Generation is my Alpha 1 sterndrive? (how to tell for sure)

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MI-TY

MI-TY

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Sorry if this has been already covered in the past but I have not been able to find solid confirmation to find out what generation my Drive is.

My serial number is OC312462 and it's a 1988 5.7 Mercruiser it's attached to.
 
achris

achris

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That's An Alpha One. Not Gen II....
 
MI-TY

MI-TY

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Okay, so I am clear, this Stern drive is an Alpha, not an Alpha 1?

From what I have been reading it seems there is an Alpha first generation and a second generation. When I order parts for this I want to get the correct ones and from what I have been reading the first generation parts are not compatible with the second generation and vice versa.

I want to order a impeller rebuild kit, new gaskets and change the bellows and shift cable and install them over the winter while I have the drive off the boat for the winter and all the parts I have looked at are specifying Generation 1 or 2 I want to get the right stuff the first time I order...no where I look does anyone ask for a serial number,the question always seems to be what generation is the drive.

also my motor s/n is B908486
 
achris

achris

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No... It's an 'Alpha One'... but not an 'Alpha One Gen II'

History of 'Alpha' style drive from Mercruiser (brief)

1967-1982 - Mercruiser 'One' Drive (MC-1 for short)
1983-1984 - Mercruiser 'R' drive (for 'Revised')
1985 Mercruiser 'MR' drive (for 'Major revision')
1986-1991 - Mercruiser 'Alpha One'
1991-current Mercruiser 'Alpha One Generation II' drive

Also, there is no 'Gen I', just 'Alpha One' and 'Alpha One Gen II'.... I guess by definition if the later is called 'Gen II' that would make the one before it a 'Gen I', but it was never called 'Gen I'... I guess at the time they didn't know they there would be a 'Gen II'... Hope that makes sense...

There is also a wealth of information (including all this) in the stickies section, including pictures of the various different drives and how to tell them apart. Check it out.

Chris...

Just re-read your post. Yes, some shops :facepalm: do call anything that is not Gen II, Gen I... It's wrong, but hey, they call anything prior to 1983 'Pre-Alpha'... That REALLY gets my goat!!! :mad:. (Read from HERE down)
 
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MI-TY

MI-TY

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Thanks. I figured it would be a Alpha one "first generation" specifically based on the vintage (1988) Thanks for the help..I am new to Boats but not new to Mechanics and Electronics repair.

Great forum...I have browsed for other answers and got what I needed. Thanks again guys.
 
Bondo

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MI-TY said:
Thanks. I figured it would be a Alpha one "first generation" specifically based on the vintage (1988) Thanks for the help..I am new to Boats but not new to Mechanics and Electronics repair.

Great forum...I have browsed for other answers and got what I needed. Thanks again guys.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.... Have ya been into Don'S Adults Only section yet,.....

There's a wealth of Info in there, includin' a description of the Alpha series of drives, with pictures,...
 
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achris

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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freightguy said:
Has there been an update to this in a while? My serial number is not covered in his posts.
Click to expand...
Please start a thread of your own. Forum rules are no posting to threads older than 90 days, unless you are the OP posting an update..

Chris.
iboats mod team
 
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