How to kill an Alpha 1
08-17-2005, 08:11 AM
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How to kill an Alpha 1
My new SBC 400 is turning 5200 rpm at WOT with a 14 1/4 x 20 SS prop. My engine builder dosen't seem concerned with this as his Busch motors can turn over 10000. I really don't want to kill my Alpha 1 so I have been spoon feeding it the throttle. Which is harder on the outdrive: high RPM's or more prop?
08-17-2005, 08:38 AM
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Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
I ran a 11.25:1 compression solid roller 355 ci with a 150 shot of NOS with an Alpha SS and never had a problem. We turned 6000 RPM on motor and 6500 RPM on the NOS. The Alpha does a great job on small, light boats even with pretty decent HP. I think a 21' - 22' boat is about the largest I would want to run an Alpha drive on with a modified motor. As Sutphen said keeping the boat in the water is also critical for these drives survival.
Craig
Craig
08-17-2005, 09:01 AM
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Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
I am running it in a 20 ft. Wellcraft which weighs over 4000lbs. She will do 60 mph at 5200rpm. I don't usually run her that hard but it is nice to know she can. I try to save it for outrunning storms or the occasional innocent pleasure boater.
08-17-2005, 09:38 AM
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Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
Had a modified(heads, crane cam, holly800, CMI) 86 bbc in Wellcraft Nova 23, used big prop 23' after engine rebuild w/heavy cup flying in the bay, damaged upper gears in 1991. Had outdrive rebuilt, switched to hydro 21, ran 5200 for another 14 years no problem with outdrive. I think the key (as stated in previous post) keep really low idle during shifting,check and change drive frequently and during re-entry when flying on top of waves, don't be too agressive with torque upon reentry...high abusive torque kills them. Loved my set up-light slim drive works well if treated kindly. 
Good luck
Good luck
08-17-2005, 10:03 AM
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Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
Agreed.... treat it nicely and it'll work fine. Heavy boats and lack of control are what kill these drives. I'm spinning a 25P Mirage Plus with a 383 in a 4500 lbs (loaded) boat and so far it's holding up nicely. I'm turning 5800.
08-17-2005, 12:56 PM
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Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
Originally Posted by Olds Eddie
My engine builder dosen't seem concerned with this as his Busch motors can turn over 10000.
Really over 10k RPM ?
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08-17-2005, 01:19 PM
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Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
Originally Posted by Strip Poker 388
Really over 10k RPM ?
08-17-2005, 10:18 PM
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Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
I wouldn't worry just be nice... I run 550+ hp 383 in a 18.5" powerplay. spin around 5800-5900 rpm. been reaming the crap out of it the last few years, no problems yet. Run a sirmek drive shower with 12 outlets and I also made the holes bigger...
08-18-2005, 12:23 AM
#10
Re: How to kill an Alpha 1
Originally Posted by Olds Eddie
They are running a shorter stroke but he says that NASCAR limits them by the new gear ratio regs. Have you ever seen a computer crank balancer? Way cool stuff!
I did see a fake dry sump pump once .That was a pretty cool idea. They were running a electric oil pump for the motor before they got caught
, free horse power Rob
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The Only Time You Have To Much Ammo Is When Your Swimming Or On Fire.
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The Only Time You Have To Much Ammo Is When Your Swimming Or On Fire.
