If Imco made shortys for the Alpha I would have one. I've never heard one mentioned till now. As far as strength of the Alphas, the late production Alpha 1 and Gen 2's are stronger than earlier Alpha 1s and MRs. . The earlier 1 and R drives different cut lower gears and smaller vert shafts making them much weaker. Alpha 1 and early Gen 2's came with 17-28 tooth count lower gears while newer Gen 2s come with 13-21 teeth count gears. I believe the 13-21 gears are stronger than the early 17-28 gears. The 13-21 teeth are much larger than the 17-28 gears providing more surface area for gear to gear engagement. As to the upper, aside from the HD gears they are all of the same strength. The vertical DS in the MR and Alpha 1 production had a small oring groove cut into the shaft under the splines. This is a common breakage point when overpowered. Late model Alpha 1 and all Gen 2's got a vertical DS without this groove and is a stronger DS.

When I rebuilt my Alpha 1's I tried to make them as strong as possible for the new 385ci so I used HD upper gears, late model non oring DS, and 13-21 lower gears shimmed to a tight .025" with a tight backlash for additional tooth engagement.

Hope this helps.

I'm not a premium member, but would be happy to post a picture for you all to see as soon as I get back to the lake to take one of my shorties! They have treated me great, and I'm pushing some serious hp through them - for an alpha anyway. I'll be up there in a week or so, and will get some pictures.

Joe Z

Here is a link to some pictures...

Those indeed look shorter than a Gen 1 Alpha lower. Did you get them directly from Imco? I went to Imco's site and they are no longer listed?

Same here......could someone post the pic from S wake.....Im not a member there so cant see it.......are they SS's??

pic from SW

The alphaSS is 2" sorter then a normal alpha1 they were made from 1986-1989
Heres a few other pics i found on the net....not sure if they are actuall SS dirves cause most of the ones ive seen have the silver bottom like the one above....

hmmm land and sea stern jack?

Problem is they are not made anymore.John