Looking at a 87 268

[cherokeeguy]

I know i have read the information i am looking for on a thread here before but i can't seem to find it for the life of me so i figured i would just ask and maybe someone could point me to the info, any how my dad is considering buying a 87 268 with a 454 and alpha one combo, i can swear i read a post about how this can be a troublesum combo and that in those years the alpha was actually maufactured specificly for this setup per searay and if the parts are no longer avalible it could be a problem, the boat has 750 hrs and very little back history so i wanted to check if anyone could shed some light on this before he gets a boat that is more trouble than it is worth.

 

[berth control]

The alpha's are prone to go out on that boat. The 454 or 350 both tear them up because of the power needed to move that size boat. Depending on how hard and how much you boat, you may see a decent life out of one though.
As for the boats themselves, you get a lot of useful space out of a small package, but they are sway a lot side to side in the waves due to the long tall boat with such a narrow beam. Not bad once you get used to it though. There are a couple guys that have those boats and done quite a bit to them. TailChaser is one that comes to mind, maybe do a search and PM him.

 

[jrurhh]

I owned on for 17 years with the 454 Alpha set up and went trough 2 drives in the first 5+ years and had the last drive for over ten. There are two differant gear ratios for the alpha, 1-1.5 and a 1-1.34, if I remember correctly. You want the 1.34 ratio as the gears are bigger.

If your careful on acceleration and don't slam it to the firewall they can last a long time time. But if your go hard on and off it the torque will tear them up. The one thing I would suggest is to the drive services by a Merc tech every offseason. I replaces seals and bearings a few times but the drive lasted a long time.

I also had no luck with stainless steel propellers. The torque ripped the hubs out in half a season. The flex in the aluminum props takes a little preasure off the hubs and they last about two years.

 

[Getaway]

The drive on my boat is the original unit and has 3000 hrs on it. No issues. I have the 454 with the original Alpha drive. Not sure what the gear ratio is. Just bring her up nice and easy and let her down nice and easy and you will be fine. These are not speed boats anyways.

Good Luck!

 

[berth control]

The drive on my boat is the original unit and has 3000 hrs on it. No issues. I have the 454 with the original Alpha drive.

Really!?!?!? You do a LOT of trolling/fishing? Are you the original owner to account for all 3,000 hours? Seems surprising since my boat has had BOTH outdrives rebuilt and it has under 1,000 hours on each alpha one and they are powered by four cylinders.

 

[Getaway]

I am not the original owner, however, I know the original owner and he has verified the drive is the original unit. I have all of the service records for the boat and the only drive records are of routine maintenance. The boat was used a few times per year for salmon trolling so I would say of the 3000 hrs, worse case 800-1000 of those hours are trolling. That is probably on the high side. He has no reason to not tell me the truth, he's been upfront with all issues he's had with the boat. I've talked to him a couple of times since I've paid him for it.

 

[cherokeeguy]

Thanks for all the info from everyone, sounds to me like as long as he isn't out there trying to be a go fast he should be all set with the boat, anything that can go 3000 hours is awsome setup in my book. This boat actually apears to be near identical to yours Getaway so i am sure if he gets it he may have some questions for you LOL

 

[Old Vet]

"There are two differant gear ratios for the alpha, 1-1.5 and a 1-1.34, "

How would one tell which you have? Is there some way to determine from the serial number? Or?????

Never mind....found it in my Clymer's Manual....apparently my 1987 is a 1.32:1 ratio.

Got just over 1000 hours on it. The PO had the boat for 10 years and gave me maintenance records for it from during his ownership and nothing other than routine maintenance was done on it....one or two U-joint replacements....but other than that....routine inspections and oil changes it appears.

"Fingers crossed".