Alpha 1 upper unit bad, recommendations?

[Petehalsted]

So in the never ending saga of one thing leads to another. While replacing pump, found out seal was bad and water in the gear lube, when opening the top, bearing bad and case damaged.

Lower unit doesn't look brand new by any means, and it was running in the same muddy grease, but it was working and not making noise or anything.

Do I cheap out and replace just the upper with an SEI, or do I bite the bullet and do the whole unit now?

 

[tmikesh81]

i would change the whole drive.. my luck if i did the upper i would lose the bottom when i was away with the boat.. everytime i cheap out it seems to bit me..

 

[Spookeay]

http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MercruiserAlpha

 

[Petehalsted]

That where I am planning on buying from, question is should I just replace upper or spend the $$ and replace entire unit.

 

[GoofyLeo3]

3yr unconditional guarantee against ANYTHING?!? 'Ya can't beat that anywhere. $1500 for the whole unit, gasket kit and optional drive shower. That's what I did this spring when mine sh!t the bed.
Another satisfied customer.

 

[JVM225]

I would buy a complete counter rotating drive and mount it on the port side. Put your existing (good) drive on the starboard side.
Thats an upgrade I've been looking to do for some time now.
I thought I had a good counter rotating lower unit this past summer, but it turned out not to be counter rotating and I had to return it to the seller.

 

[Ganstrucker]

May I suggest that you do the whole thing now as opposed to having to tear it down again.

 

[Alibuma]

3yr unconditional guarantee against ANYTHING?!? 'Ya can't beat that anywhere. $1500 for the whole unit, gasket kit and optional drive shower. That's what I did this spring when mine sh!t the bed.
Another satisfied customer.

I second that!

 

[Petehalsted]

Got ak call tonight and upper might not be as bad as firlst suspected. So now I am really in a quandary.

Counter rotating interesting suggestion, risking exposing my boob status what are the advantages.

 

[Uplate]

Replaced the entire drive with an SEI on the bowrider. So far so good and a very cheap solution compared to Merc OEM.

Replaced the lower unit on the 310 with an SEI on the port side. No complaints. Great warranty and mechanic said is was cheaper than rebuilding.

If in doubt, I think about a $1500 bill to replace the entire drive is not so bad.