Alpha one question

[Whiskey River]

I bought a formula 272 that was set up by the last owner with Standard Alpha one upper housings and Alpha SS lower units. There seems to be two issues with this set up. 1. The oil tubes do not line up. So they tapped both holes and sealed each with a set screw. I think this should not cause any problems, but if you see an issue please let me know. 2. According to the Mercruiser manuals the Alpha SS was never offered in counter rotation. So that brings me to my next question. What is the difference in the standard and counter rotation. I have ran the boat very short distances this past summer and the left engine will not rev as high as the right one. I'm completely lost here so any help would be great.
Thanks,
Adam
256-506-0134

[RLC PE]

I bought a formula 272 that was set up by the last owner with Standard Alpha one upper housings and Alpha SS lower units. There seems to be two issues with this set up. 1. The oil tubes do not line up. So they tapped both holes and sealed each with a set screw. I think this should not cause any problems, but if you see an issue please let me know. 2. According to the Mercruiser manuals the Alpha SS was never offered in counter rotation. So that brings me to my next question. What is the difference in the standard and counter rotation. I have ran the boat very short distances this past summer and the left engine will not rev as high as the right one. I'm completely lost here so any help would be great.
Thanks,
Adam
256-506-0134A standerd Alpha one upper housing will not fit a alpha SS lower housing. The Alpha SS used a 2.4 lower foot wich is a out board foot. It will bolt up but not properly. They should not have used a set screw to block off the oil passage as the housing needs to be vented if its not vented it will blow seals and and you will loose your oil and burn up the gears. The differnece between stanadard roation and counter rotaion is just that on drive spins to the left one drive spins to the rite. You need to get the correct lower foots for your upper drives. You may have two right hand drives

You can Pm me and we can further discuses your situation

[BUIZILLA]

my true Alpha SS was NOT an outboard CLE lower....

[RLC PE]

my true Alpha SS was NOT an outboard CLE lower....
you could take that lower of your true Alpha SS and bolt it rite up to a 2.4 out board and it would fit and work no problems

[Whiskey River]

It seems like this is not the right set up, so do you need 2 lower units

[BUIZILLA]

Standard Alpha one upper housings and Alpha SS lower units. a true Alpha SS has it's own specific driveshaft that is now unobtanium.. where are your water pickup holes?

[RLC PE]

a true Alpha SS has it's own specific driveshaft that is now unobtanium.. where are your water pickup holes?the drive shaft is shorter is all. You can take the 2.4 shaft out and install into the Alpha SS lower foot. the Alpha SS had low water pick up in it. Buizilla I do this for a living I have done this before.

[Whiskey River]

two holes in the top of the sharp pointed geared case

[BUIZILLA]

A standerd Alpha one upper housing will not fit a alpha SS lower housing. The Alpha SS used a 2.4 lower foot wich is a out board foot. It will bolt up but not properly.


the drive shaft is shorter is all. You can take the 2.4 shaft out and install into the Alpha SS lower foot. the Alpha SS had low water pick up in it. you told him above it can't be done properly, then you say it can, every post you make contradicts a previous one.. your so full of sh1t... this is gonna turn into another 56 pages of your crap again... he has a CORRECT SS lower already, not a 2.4 CLE that you think is an SS... someone just installed standard driveshafts into a shorter true SS is what he stated, and plugged some holes, very clearly that's what he stated... he needs the correct uppers and the correct driveshafts for his lowers... he's not going to find it...
i'm just flat out not going to argue with you...

[Whiskey River]

thanks for the help guys. I know the uppers are alpha one. if the SS has a shorter drive shaft, how much shorter is it? if hey did change them, i might still be able to get my hands on them, if they are worth going thru the trouble.

[Whiskey River]

The boat came with standard alpha one, so I suspect that using a short drive would really mess something up.

[Capt.Insane-o]

I'd save yourself a load of trouble and get a couple standard lowers with one being a counter and you be way ahead of the game.

[BUIZILLA]

2 3/4" shorter

good luck finding the shafts, you'll need the shorter uppers too..

[Capt.Insane-o]

I'm sure you could e-bay those SS lowers for some good coin as well. There is a guy here that can shorten and respline the shafts for a reasonable price too so the shafts are'nt really a big deal.

[RLC PE]

2 3/4" shorter

good luck finding the shafts, you'll need the shorter uppers too..There only 2 inches shorter then a stock Alpha

[RLC PE]

How do you know there Alpha SS lower foots? they could be a 2.4 cle

[BUIZILLA]

wrong, a true SS is exactly 2 3/4" shorter...

[Ziemer]

I'd save yourself a load of trouble and get a couple standard lowers with one being a counter and you be way ahead of the game.

Probably the best way to go. :thumbsup: The shorty's on that big heavy Formula are probably slowin' ya down anyway.

[Whiskey River]

I'm sure your right. But I think the current overall drive height is the same since I'm running standard alpha uppers. I haven't measured this, but I did lay a standard lower beside the SS lower and it looked close to the same, definitely wasn't inches off.
So do ya'll suggest I offer these on ebay or another site. We have a big lake down here but there isn't a lot demand for these in my area.

[Capt.Insane-o]

I'm sure your right. But I think the current overall drive height is the same since I'm running standard alpha uppers. I haven't measured this, but I did lay a standard lower beside the SS lower and it looked close to the same, definitely wasn't inches off.
So do ya'll suggest I offer these on ebay or another site. We have a big lake down here but there isn't a lot demand for these in my area.

I'm trying to get a hold of a guy up here with a Pachenga that came with the 320 EFI SS combo I maintain, he buys up every one he can find.

[RLC PE]

I'm sure your right. But I think the current overall drive height is the same since I'm running standard alpha uppers. I haven't measured this, but I did lay a standard lower beside the SS lower and it looked close to the same, definitely wasn't inches off.
So do ya'll suggest I offer these on ebay or another site. We have a big lake down here but there isn't a lot demand for these in my area.
There is no difference in height in the Alpha foot Versa the SS foot there both the same height. The Alpha SS has a shorter upper housing.
Yes I would try to E-bay them first, you might find some one that has to have them.