View Full Version : Converting an alpha one to counter rotation
gregpro50
10-25-2011, 02:11 PM
I'm getting a boat with twin I/O's but they are both standard rotation. Is converting to counter rotation as easy as swapping for a CR lower on one of the drives? I'm not familiar with these and this is my first twin setup.
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTc1WDEwMjQ=/$(KGrHqMOKn!E5-fnv)tvBOjd(4w+Cg~~60_12.JPG
Riverman
10-25-2011, 03:34 PM
I know on a Volvo outdrive rotation can be changed in 5 minutes using a pair of pliers and a screwdriver. Plus changing the prop.
I'm interested to see how it is done on a Merc.
Capt.Insane-o
10-25-2011, 03:34 PM
Pretty much yes save for moving the shift cable to the other side of the throw. Counter lowers of that age are not long lived in such applications so changing the lube on that side twice as often helps. If the motors have had any upgrades forget it and stay with the standard rotators.
gregpro50
10-25-2011, 04:45 PM
The motors aren't modded and I really don't have any plans to. They are 260hp 5.7's with Gen 1 alphas. I haven't had this boat in the water yet but I would think there would be crazy torque steer with this setup. It's spinning 23p cleavers. Maybe I should wait until the start of next season to see how it handles before I start changing things that arent needed.
Capt.Insane-o
10-26-2011, 08:20 AM
You'll find the cleavers to be next to useless. Find some Mirages for it.
gregpro50
10-26-2011, 08:24 AM
That boat came from the manufacturer with those props. I tried some cleavers in the past on my boat and they seem to have real bad low end but the top end is pretty good.
njthumper
10-26-2011, 09:07 AM
SEI (www.sterndrive.cc) offers counter rotating Alpha lowers for just under $1000.
Ron
Capt.Insane-o
10-26-2011, 10:19 AM
That boat came from the manufacturer with those props. I tried some cleavers in the past on my boat and they seem to have real bad low end but the top end is pretty good.
They suck, you'll pick up a ton of mid range efficiency, holeshot and top end with a set of mirages.
donmac
10-26-2011, 06:38 PM
don't try running it by reversing the shift cable! The reverse gear and bearings were not meant to be run under high load and that's what you will be doing!you need a carrier,bearings and more than you know if your asking ,go see a hi-performance shop if you want to convert it!
gregpro50
10-27-2011, 10:01 AM
No I didn't want to just reverse the shift cable. I wanted to get a lower unit that was intended to be used as counter rotation. I see that SEI has them. http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MercruiserAlphaLowerSterndrive I just wanted to know if the difference between standard rotation and counter rotation was the way the gears turn in the lower unit. In other words the driveshafts on both standard and lower units would turn clockwise but the prop shaft on the counter unit would turn counter clockwise while the standard unit still turns clockwise.
Capt.Insane-o
10-27-2011, 12:03 PM
don't try running it by reversing the shift cable! The reverse gear and bearings were not meant to be run under high load and that's what you will be doing!you need a carrier,bearings and more than you know if your asking ,go see a hi-performance shop if you want to convert it!
no sh*t, read my post again and turn on your reading comprehension.
donmac
10-28-2011, 06:38 PM
no sh*t, read my post again and turn on your reading comprehension. I read your post " long lived sounds like your saying it will work for a while, du! and what does modifying the motor the motor have to do with it,when they wouldn't run for an hour with half the plug wires off!
Greg- on the counter units the forward gear is in the reverse gear position behind the pinion!
Capt.Insane-o
10-29-2011, 10:39 AM
Is converting to counter rotation as easy as swapping for a CR lower on one of the drives?
Pretty much yes save for moving the shift cable to the other side of the throw. Counter lowers of that age are not long lived in such applications so changing the lube on that side twice as often helps. If the motors have had any upgrades forget it and stay with the standard rotators.
I read your post " long lived sounds like your saying it will work for a while, du! and what does modifying the motor the motor have to do with it,when they wouldn't run for an hour with half the plug wires off!
Greg- on the counter units the forward gear is in the reverse gear position behind the pinion!
god damn canadians
Riverman
10-29-2011, 11:00 AM
god damn canadians
Hey! :D
donmac
10-29-2011, 05:03 PM
god damn canadians ya just change the oil,that'll fix it! tell em Capt. Crunch sent ya!
Capt.Insane-o
10-29-2011, 06:00 PM
Where did I tell him to put a lefty prop on it and run it in reverse? He asked if all it took was a CR lower, I said yes and mentioned changing the shift cable.
Hi Jeff! :)
Capt.Insane-o
10-29-2011, 06:03 PM
I'm getting a boat with twin I/O's but they are both standard rotation. Is converting to counter rotation as easy as swapping for a CR lower on one of the drives?
Pretty much yes save for moving the shift cable to the other side of the throw.
There is the condensed, easy to read version for you.
donmac
10-29-2011, 07:03 PM
I wasn't refering to your post in the first place! I just didn't want him getting any ideas after the post about the volvo! you got loud,so I thought I'd see how far your loud knob went!
7
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.