[steve_g]

Hi guys, just wanted to toss an idea past you and see what anyone else thought of this. I have an 82 21' Eliminator Sport that I am looking to do some upgrades to. Currently it has a SBC in there with a Volvo Penta 250 outdrive that someone prior to me installed at some point. The drive works well and really hasn't given me any troubles yet, but I would like to convert to something that has tilt and trim.

The drive I have now has an electric motor that is pretty much only for raising the drive to trailer, or idle speeds. Nothing can be done while under power.

I've seen a few boats out there for sale that have been damaged but he drive is still intact and looks decent. I'd like to grab one of these donor boats, re-do the transom and use the Merc drive instead. hoping I could sell the Volvo drive for some seed money, and take the donor boat and transfer the complete out drive, potentially power steering and all and mount it to mine.

Do you know if all Alpha One drives are similar? Some out there I've seen are from little four bangers, others v-6 and others obviously from older V-8's. Anything I should look for or completely avoid? Not looking to build a screamer, but I do have a SBC stroker motor that is dying to get put back in use (right around 400HP)..

Any thoughts?

 

[BDMarine]

Try to find a 1991 or later if possible. It is the Gen II and has a better water pump impeller design. Also find one that was behind a small block so you have a better chance of having the proper gear ratio.

 

[steve_g]

Thanks! thats exactly the kind of info I was hoping to get! I can narrow the search down a bit now

 

[Hullshot]

As B&D stated anything over a 91 is the Gen 2 alpha and used a larger capacity pump also, 1.42, 1.50,1.62 is the ratios you should be looking for.

 

[steve_g]

Are the ratio's similar to car rear end ratio's? Lower the number less Revs per rotation? Higher similar to a taller gear and quicker launch but less top end?

 

[flyinlow]

Are the ratio's similar to car rear end ratio's? Lower the number less Revs per rotation? Higher similar to a taller gear and quicker launch but less top end?

Yes it works exactly the same as gear ratios in a cars rear dif. the lower the number the less rpm for a given prop speed