Just bought an 87 Formula F23LS and it has a 454 with a alpha drive, what can I expect, not expect from this drive? I hear all kinds of bad about it yet I'm told if I dont pound it and add a drive shower it'll be okay, whats your thoughts on this? Thanks guys.

Expect the outdrive to fail at some point. Alpha drives are good only upto 5.7L (or less). The 454 (7.4L) is too much engine for that outdrive and will probably cause it to fail.

What you have is a mis-match of engine and outdrive. The original outdrive on that boat was probably the Bravo 1 and somebody saved a few bucks when they replaced it.

If the drive is maintained properly and not beat to death it will be fine. Assuming there are no preexisting problems.

Your engine and drive are probably not a mismatch. In 1987 Merc offered the big block Alpha package and marketed it as the Mag.

There are a lot of people running high power thru that drive. I think Travis on this board puts over 500 Hp thru an Alpha drive. I don't do quite that much, but more than a stock big block.

The other thing in your favor is it's a small, light boat, so it's easier on the drive.

I have a friend with a 1987 21 checkamte running a 454 with around 425hp through an alpha with no problems to date. Orginal drive and he isn't exactly the king of maintainence. It is a light boat and he is expecting it to blow everytime out but it keeps on ticking. I think they are stronger than most give them credit for.

Its normal, the 454 came with an Alpha drive in 1987. It has lasted 20 years already so that should tell you something. Take it easy and it will last another 20.

I am running 400hp thru my Alpha with no problems. Smaller lighter boats can get away with it.

Using Syn gear oil and a drive shower to help to keep it going. Your most likely to break the drive coming out of the hole on plane with alot of throttle. You don't have a jet boat so there's no need for that anyway. Once on plane moving you should have no problems going WOT all you want.
If you happen to jump the prop out of the water get off the gas upon reentry as coming back in under full power will also break the drive.

That's more than likely the original drive that came on the boat. It will live long and happy if you follow the above guidelines I posted. I've been keeping my overpowered Alpha alive since 92.

Thanks a bunch guys, I havent had a boat in ten years and this is heaven to me to be able to get on the water again. I will give it a full service and go to synthetic, also going to put in a drive shower. I'll post some pics when I get it.