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  1. #1
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    Mercruiser alpha 1 gen 1 question

    Pulled the out drive gimbal bearing was toast but can't see any holes in the bellows. Water leaks in where the cut out for 1 inch intake hose goes to the copper tube. Any idea what leaking? Sorry it's not an outboard but I know some of you know i/o's. Thanks Rick

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    Upper steering shaft and seals. I have a bunch of freshwater transom assemblies if you need one. There is a grommet around the water tube too, if the area is corroded around the grommet it will leak there.
    Last edited by Capt.Insane-o; 09-19-2016 at 08:09 PM.

  3. #3
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    LeakyAlpha

    Quote Originally Posted by delawarerick View Post
    Pulled the out drive gimbal bearing was toast but can't see any holes in the bellows. Water leaks in where the cut out for 1 inch intake hose goes to the copper tube. Any idea what leaking? Sorry it's not an outboard but I know some of you know i/o's. Thanks Rick
    The shift shaft upper seal is in a brass carrier,and frequently leaks. It will let water into the gimbal housing. also inspect the shift cable rubber bellows. I would change both. Seal is in a brass carrier, you have to take the shift lever off. There is an updated bigger double seal. Sterndrives.com has good instructions.
    Dave

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    So was there water in the bellows? The shift shaft seal on a boat old enough to have a gen 1 Alpha is suspect for sure. That being said I haven't seen a leak there collect in the bellows. That area should be sealed. Personally I wouldn't take everything apart and just change the gimbal bearing. Change the bellows too and the seal from the drive to the bell housing along with the shift cable bellows. Is there any oil in the bellows? Just water? No water? Just a corroded gimbal bearing? Or just a bad gimbal bearing? A bad gimbal bearing could be an alignment issue too but usually your coupler fails. If the water level gets high enough in the boat it will fill the bellows from the inside. That could happen one time and you fixed whatever was leaking but never cleaned that water out or changed the gimbal bearing. I can't imagine your trim pump and starter wouldn't have failed or had issues too. Gen 1 Alphas are notorious for leaking bellows. Then the input shaft seal will injest water as its meant to keep oil in not water out and usually ruin your upper.

  5. #5
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    if you fill the bilge up water can get into the bellows and wont drain out via the vent which is at the top
    Last edited by powerabout; 09-20-2016 at 07:31 PM.

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    I need to get some tools and start taking it apart looks like the bellows is ok Capt I will get back to you trying to avoid the engine pull because so much has to come off to get it out. Thanks Rick

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    Fill the hole and put an outboard on it.

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  9. #8
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    Capt will a gen 2 fit where there was a gen 1. Can a gimbal be rebuilt without removal? thanks Rick

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    A gen 2 will fit, you just need to drill 2 more holes at the top that the gen 1 doesn't have. Yes they can be rebuilt on the boat, but if it needs the bushing/bearings and seals for the upper pin it is a lot easier on the bench and you can do a fresh transom seal as well as make sure the transom isn't starting to rot.

    The Gen 2 is a much much better drive. If your gentle they will be happy with a nice 350-375 hp small block. They still break the pinion gears or snap off the top of the driveshaft if abused though. Get a Mercathode system too.

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