Author Topic: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!  (Read 24268 times)

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Offline Plugcheck

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #20 on: July 07, 2014, 03:56:41 PM »
V-8 out drives are generally a 1.5/1.47 ratio, whereas the 4 cylinders used a 1.98 ratio.  There should be plenty of 1.98 alpha's and pre alpha's available for roughly $500.
Michael
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1980 CVX-16SS 140 Mercruiser
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Offline Neutron68

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #21 on: July 07, 2014, 04:09:25 PM »
http://www.sterndrive.cc/Mercruiser-Alpha-One-Gen-I-Lower-Only.html

This SEI says it's an Alpha One Gen 1 replacement.

I've got a Pre-Alpha or 120 drive. 
Do they make pre-Alpha replacements?
1978 Glastron SSV-177, Mercruiser 140

Offline Neutron68

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #22 on: July 07, 2014, 04:29:24 PM »
V-8 out drives are generally a 1.5/1.47 ratio, whereas the 4 cylinders used a 1.98 ratio.  There should be plenty of 1.98 alpha's and pre alpha's available for roughly $500.
Oh yeah, a 165 has a different gear ration than a 120. 
Can my gears be moved over to another lower unit?
1978 Glastron SSV-177, Mercruiser 140

Offline Rich_V174SS

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #23 on: July 07, 2014, 04:42:33 PM »
You don't need to swap the whole drive. Even if you picked up a drive with a ratio for a V8 the lower half will still work - all the lower units are the same.

I just picked up TODAY a used Alpha lower gearcase. It may be available for sale once I give it a look over.
1967 V174 Crestflite SuperSport Modified
1987 Mercruiser 190 3.7LX/Alpha One

1970 V176 Swinger
1983 Mercury 115

Offline Neutron68

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  • 1978 SSV-177, Mercruiser 140
Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #24 on: July 07, 2014, 04:53:23 PM »
This page lists the differences between Alpha lower units and pre-Alpha lower units.
https://plus22.safe-order.net/mercstuff/drive_idprealpha.htm

My Conclusion:  I can't use an Alpha lower unit with my pre-Alpha drive unit.
1978 Glastron SSV-177, Mercruiser 140

Offline Rich_V174SS

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #25 on: July 07, 2014, 04:59:23 PM »
You read that wrong, you CAN use an Alpha lower on a pre-Alpha upper. Look right under the picture for pre-Alpha Upper Housing.
1967 V174 Crestflite SuperSport Modified
1987 Mercruiser 190 3.7LX/Alpha One

1970 V176 Swinger
1983 Mercury 115

Offline Neutron68

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #26 on: July 07, 2014, 05:12:07 PM »
You read that wrong, you CAN use an Alpha lower on a pre-Alpha upper. Look right under the picture for pre-Alpha Upper Housing.
Ah, I see it now!

And, you say that lower units are all geared the same, so I could buy any Alpha outdrive or any pre-Alpha outdrive, and as long as I only use the lower unit from it, I'm ok.

So, I could buy the outdrive for the 305 V8 and as long as I only use the lower unit from it, right?
1978 Glastron SSV-177, Mercruiser 140

Offline Rich_V174SS

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #27 on: July 07, 2014, 05:18:03 PM »
Quote
And, you say that lower units are all geared the same, so I could buy any Alpha outdrive or any pre-Alpha outdrive, and as long as I only use the lower unit from it, I'm ok.

So, I could buy the outdrive for the 305 V8 and as long as I only use the lower unit from it, right?

Yes. In fact on the SEI site their "Alpha" lower unit replacements are listed for 1972-1990 drives.

The one shown for the 305 looks like it had a skeg replacement too, that's an Alpha One Gen II replacement skeg. Mercury doesn't sell a replacement skeg for the Gen I Alpha.
« Last Edit: July 07, 2014, 05:21:17 PM by Rich_V174SS »
1967 V174 Crestflite SuperSport Modified
1987 Mercruiser 190 3.7LX/Alpha One

1970 V176 Swinger
1983 Mercury 115

Offline Jason

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #28 on: July 07, 2014, 06:47:14 PM »
Here is the guy Doran was talking about. I forgot he replaced his outdrive twice!
http://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=306.0
When I destroyed my upper gears it was just a little bit more to buy a new SEI over having my old one rebuilt. I did have Dan reseal the lower unit on my 140 though.
Jason S.
1974 Glastron Carlson CV16SS 140 I/O
1986 Glastron Carlson CV23 260 I/O

Offline Jason

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #29 on: July 07, 2014, 06:47:58 PM »
oh yea, for the record, the lower unit on my brothers boat is mounted to a pre-alpha drive.
Jason S.
1974 Glastron Carlson CV16SS 140 I/O
1986 Glastron Carlson CV23 260 I/O

Offline Rich_V174SS

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #30 on: July 07, 2014, 07:46:29 PM »
Here's the Alpha lower I got today. A friend gave it to me to sell for him. It looks to have been cleaned up and repainted, the forward and reverse gears feel fine and it shifts properly. There are a few dings and scrapes in the front edge of the skeg and the water pump impeller should probably be replaced.

1967 V174 Crestflite SuperSport Modified
1987 Mercruiser 190 3.7LX/Alpha One

1970 V176 Swinger
1983 Mercury 115

Offline buckz6319

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #31 on: July 07, 2014, 08:27:27 PM »
Your gear ratio will be wrong if you put on a complete outdrive from a V8...no bueno.

What about that guy Jeff used in the TC's when his outdrive blew up?

Jeff and I both replaced are entire outdrive last summer with a brand new SEI. So far so good. My brother also replaced his lower with an SEI about 5 years ago and has not had any issues.

http://www.sterndrive.cc/Mercruiser-Alpha-One-Gen-I-Lower-Only.html
Jason, I saw a lot of those units on ebay, are they Chinese units? I was just curious, because I have thought about one, if this gen 2 doesn't work out for me
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Offline dorelse

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #32 on: July 07, 2014, 09:25:46 PM »
Not Chinese...they're out of Florida, have a nice warranty, and are generally a high quality replacement at a more palatable price.
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Offline Jason

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #33 on: July 07, 2014, 10:09:27 PM »
Built in Florida with "globally sourced" parts. Do your homework on them if you want but they are reversed engineered mercruisers and many will say stronger. Older models had paint issues but that's been resolved. They have a louder wine when cruising but that is suppose to disparate over time. Have a 3 year warranty too. I have not seen any complaints about reliability.
Jason S.
1974 Glastron Carlson CV16SS 140 I/O
1986 Glastron Carlson CV23 260 I/O

Offline buckz6319

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #34 on: July 08, 2014, 05:19:30 AM »
Not Chinese...they're out of Florida, have a nice warranty, and are generally a high quality replacement at a more palatable price.
thanks for the info, and I read that they have a 3 year warranty, and the price is right :) I will remember this company
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Offline buckz6319

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #35 on: July 08, 2014, 05:22:07 AM »
Built in Florida with "globally sourced" parts. Do your homework on them if you want but they are reversed engineered mercruisers and many will say stronger. Older models had paint issues but that's been resolved. They have a louder wine when cruising but that is suppose to disparate over time. Have a 3 year warranty too. I have not seen any complaints about reliability.
Thanks Jason for the info
I will consider one of these units, if I need to replace mine, good to know that someone has experience with them
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Offline Neutron68

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #36 on: July 08, 2014, 08:46:35 AM »
Been a few members that have had good luck with SEI.

http://www.sterndrive.cc/product/Fits-Mercruiser-Gen-I-Lower-8951A43.html
Any idea if shipping costs are rolled into that $750 price?  If not, what is the shipping cost to Minnesota?
1978 Glastron SSV-177, Mercruiser 140

Offline Neutron68

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #37 on: July 08, 2014, 09:00:13 AM »
Here is the guy Doran was talking about. I forgot he replaced his outdrive twice!
http://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=306.0
When I destroyed my upper gears it was just a little bit more to buy a new SEI over having my old one rebuilt. I did have Dan reseal the lower unit on my 140 though.
Quoted from other thread...

Daniel Luke
Merc Stern Drive Repair
20 years Exp.
Located in Excelsior, MN
Dan - 952-474-7352.

I'll give him a call and see if he thinks my lower unit can be successfully welded.
1978 Glastron SSV-177, Mercruiser 140

Offline Jason

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Re: first 2014 outing for 1978 SSV-177!
« Reply #38 on: July 08, 2014, 11:53:30 AM »
Here is the guy Doran was talking about. I forgot he replaced his outdrive twice!
http://forum.cgoamn.com/index.php?topic=306.0
When I destroyed my upper gears it was just a little bit more to buy a new SEI over having my old one rebuilt. I did have Dan reseal the lower unit on my 140 though.
Quoted from other thread...

Daniel Luke
Merc Stern Drive Repair
20 years Exp.
Located in Excelsior, MN
Dan - 952-474-7352.

I'll give him a call and see if he thinks my lower unit can be successfully welded.

Dan does not like SEI so don't mention it to him!! I think SEI has come a long way since Dan has worked with them though.

It does not matter who you buy your SEI from so long as it's new and you register it, SEI will warranty it. I ended up getting mine through a guy on ebay for a $100 less than from SEI directly.
Jason S.
1974 Glastron Carlson CV16SS 140 I/O
1986 Glastron Carlson CV23 260 I/O