CLE 2 Hole Conversion

[Turbonash6]

Hi All,

I recently purchased an Alpha One SS. The out drive has the 2 holes on top of the bullet. When I pulled off the old drive (basic alpha one w/ a noes cone), and put on the SS, I starting having cooling issues. At certain trim levels (all the way down for example) I'm not getting as good of water pressure, and naturally the engine starts to get hot (approaching 250 degrees). For an SBC 350, this is a problem. Is the fix for this to have the outdrive converted to a 2/4 hole low water pickup?

I spoke with one of our more popular vendors, and their recommendation was to cut off the existing nose cone an epoxy one of their units on. However I have to believe their is an easier way...have any of you ever filled the top two holes and drilled new holes on the bottom side of the nose cone? Are their any vendors that currently could perform this service...I've read a few recommendations such as Bob's, Titus, and JC, but haven't been able to find actual sites for Titus and JC.

Any guidance/help would be greatly appreciated...I just want to get this lower unit on the boat so I can see if it was worth the investment...worst case it doesn't work out, in which case likely selling to go back to the previous setup.

Jason

[David - WI]

You're not going to find Titus or JC.

I don't know the answer to your cooling problem BUT there's some really good info here on the CLE cases: https://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?289965-Nose-coning-a-CLE&p=2632463#post2632463

[89LASER]

Sounds like your feed hose between the outdrive helmet and the gimble housing is getting crimped and restricting water flow. Also the 90 degree fitting coming off the inner gimble could be clogged. With the boat on a trailer, remove the hose from the engine end of the feed hose, trim your engine down, connect your flush kit, turn the water on and start your motor momentarily and shut in down when you see water come out, the feed hose should pump a lot of water out. Then try it with the drive trimmed up. If the volume increases, your hose between the helmet and the gimble housing is kinked.

[Turbonash6]

I’ll give that a shot but it worked fine with the old drive when trimmed all the way down so I’m skeptical it’s the issue. As a reference here is a pick with the drive trimmed slightly up, as I trim it further down it gets closer to the bottom of the boat.
https://www.screamandfly.com/blob:https://www.screamandfly.com/f949d01c-21f6-4a9a-bb0c-3e979624e598

[Turbonash6]

https://www.screamandfly.com/blob:https://www.screamandfly.com/3f6b133e-6e33-4c39-8ba4-cdb951d0eec3

[FUJIMO]

...i dont like to start ANY i/o with the drive up. trim the drive most of the way down before running the engine. u-joints can tear-up rubber bellows...then water comes in...

[FUJIMO]

...anything forward of the gearcase on the bottom of the hull, or at the trailing edge, that could be feeding aeration to the gearcase water pickups?...