Alpha uppers went bye bye- opinions please
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Alpha uppers went bye bye- opinions please
Sunday under a steady cruise the upper gear set went away. I'm having a hell of a time finding a drive and may have to use one with other than a 1.5 ratio. The boat is a wellcraft nova sbc. Can I use a 1.65 with a higher pitch prop to offset the ratio difference? And could someone please explain why Mercruiser uses the different ratios? I know the bbc uses 1.32 and the little 3.0's use the 1.85's or 1.92's but why? How hard is it to change the upper gear set and is it worth it. The gears are gone, no sign of teeth or debris and that makes me nervous about the case. What the hell, this boat owes me nothing. I knew a whole season couldn't go by w/o some calamity or another. Thanks in advance.
#2
Toxic FORMULA
Platinum Member
The different gears reduces the need for a large variety of props. If all the had were 1.32's the small engines would be turning 12"pitch or if they only had 1.92 the big ones would be turning 40
" pitch. Its probably not that drastic but you get my point. Besides you get too high a pitch and it's more like a paddle wheel than a prop.
" pitch. Its probably not that drastic but you get my point. Besides you get too high a pitch and it's more like a paddle wheel than a prop.
#3
speel chekk this fokker!
Charter Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Locust Valley, New York
Posts: 5,329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i had a 454 on a an alpha with 1.32 and it coudl barely turna 19p
my advice convert to a bravo. Its dirt simple. Drill two holes and tigheten some bolts. yeah you have to pull your engine. But your boat will be SUPER reliable AND it will add value to your boat. Plus there are a ton of bravos around that can be had pretty cheaply in the ratio you need. It and of-season project but it would be worth it.
my advice convert to a bravo. Its dirt simple. Drill two holes and tigheten some bolts. yeah you have to pull your engine. But your boat will be SUPER reliable AND it will add value to your boat. Plus there are a ton of bravos around that can be had pretty cheaply in the ratio you need. It and of-season project but it would be worth it.
__________________
Pardon me, while I whip this out!
Pardon me, while I whip this out!
#4
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Kentucky - where the women are so fast we have to put a governor on 'em!!
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There should be plenty of Alpha's floating around out there, with all of these Alpha-to-Bravo projects going on!
You might check with Chris Martin @ stern drive specialists - [email protected]. He usually has some used Bravos, and he might have an Alpha laying around too.
You might check with Chris Martin @ stern drive specialists - [email protected]. He usually has some used Bravos, and he might have an Alpha laying around too.
Last edited by Budman; 08-29-2002 at 08:22 AM.
#6
Registered
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the replys, I also thought Alphas would be laying around everywhere but so far all I'm finding is the 4cyl stuff. I was hoping to get back in the water this weekend but it's not looking good for the home team. I guess I have to decide how much more I am willing to put into this boat. "Hey honey, boats totaled, going shopping, see you later" Hell, it might work.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Chris288
General Boating Discussion
46
07-06-2004 09:07 PM