Alpha Experts?

[kbsunlovers]

Greetings all!

I opened up my Alpha drive today to change out the impeller & found a significant amount of Columbia River bottom (& perhaps a wad of DB Cooper's cash) in the cavity in front of the pump housing (where the shift linkage passes through). Perhaps a half-cup of sandy, gooey mud. The impeller was in decent shape for a bit over 100 hours. No missing bits, worn but not overly so.

A couple of questions for those who have been down this road a few more times than I.

1) Is this semi-normal?
2) I'm assuming this area drains to the deep blue through the channel at the front of the lower unit - I haven't dug that far yet but will keep excavating.
3) I've had a chronic high-rpm temp issue for the last few months - perhaps expected with a fully-closed (San Juan) Alpha/5.7, but I'm wondering if the mud is related.

Any guidance appreciated, pointing and laughing tolerated as well.

-Brian

 

[fc3]

I use to be an Alpha expert. Now I'm an ex-expert for about the last decade because I got V-drives in 1999!!! Woo Hoo!

1) No. It should be clear. You have to stop running the drive into the mud.
2) It's part of the raw water passage. Clean it all out, including the intakes.
3) Open up the heat exchanger. If you find more mud, you need to clean that out, your exhaust system and everything else in the raw water system. Unless you want to do the new engine boogie.

Best regards,
Frank C

 

[kbsunlovers]

The Admiral will have to walk further to the beach. I'll show her the prices on new and reman 350's, I think the disagreement will end there. Perhaps I'll need to bring along something floaty.

The heat exchanger is up next. Thanks for your help, Frank. I owe you a virtual beverage.

I use to be an Alpha expert. Now I'm an ex-expert for about the last decade because I got V-drives in 1999!!! Woo Hoo!

1) No. It should be clear. You have to stop running the drive into the mud.
2) It's part of the raw water passage. Clean it all out, including the intakes.
3) Open up the heat exchanger. If you find more mud, you need to clean that out, your exhaust system and everything else in the raw water system. Unless you want to do the new engine boogie.

Best regards,
Frank C