Alpha SS
 

I was wondering what the value of a Alpha SS drive in good
condition. I have not seen one for sale on any boards I visit.

I am trying to decide on the value of my boat with the drive.

Thanks for the help,

Daddio

Re: Alpha SS
 

Merc stropped making the Alpha SS several years ago. Any that are still around are like gold and hidden away. Almost a collectors item.
There are a few memebers here that know more about them than I do. Maybe they'll respond.

Re: Alpha SS
 

Its a cool drive but the water pickups are a pain in the a** !

It is on a 1987 18 Powerplay XLT with a 350/260hp. I had to
change over to a crank mounted raw water pump. If it even
saw seaweed it would clog. Now the pump in the drive is
used as a drive shower thru a bilge fitting above the drive.
But I get harassed because it looks like the bilge is always
running.

The other Question, I was told these drives allready have the
HD gears (1.5) installed from factory. Is that true ? how would
you tell ? I will probabilly teardown ,inspect and reseal this
winter ?

Re: Alpha SS
 

I believe the standard ratio is 1.5:1. My non-SS Alpha is a 1.5:1.
Best way to tell is when the drive is off is to put it in gear, turn the input shaft one full revolution and count the prop rotation.
Or in this case, turn the input shaft till the prop makes one full revolution.

Re: Alpha SS
 

Yes, it's a 1.50:1 gear ratio. It's a great little drive. The previous owner installed my Alpha SS several years ago and ran 500+ HP through it with occasional 100 HP shots of nitrous on a 20' open bow. I just had the drive inspected and it's in perfect condition!

Re: Alpha SS
 

Not to mention Plum Crazy has modified water inlets that help with the weed clogging problem common to these drives! :drink:

Re: Alpha SS
 

You're lucky it held up to 500 horse. Most people can't get them withstand 300. Merc couldn't.
To run that kind of power you need to take off really slow, never a holeshot, and never...ever jump wakes or fly the boat. Oh, and a drive shower is an absolute must!
If you go looking for heavy duty Alpha parts, don't, there aren't any.

Re: Alpha SS
 

I know mine is 1.5:1. But I was also told they all had
HEAVY DUTY gear sets from the factory.

Thanks for the info,

Daddio

Re: Alpha SS
 

Sounds like it is worth more off the boat than on.
I know a guy looking for one right now.

Re: Alpha SS
 

I also read they came with a HD gear set.

Re: Alpha SS
 

I would like to sell it but I need some idea of its value.

I see std Alphas selling used @ $1500 and new is @ $2200
I thought I read someone saw a new Alpha SS on Ebay
for $3000 or $3500

I know people have them what did they pay for them?

Thanks for the help
Daddio

RLW what is your guy looking to pay?

Re: Alpha SS
 

I had both of mine rebuilt last spring, they had non-HD gears in them. My drive guy put in brand new Merc HD gears. There was a big difference in the two gear sets.

Re: Alpha SS
 

Sonic did you get your drives or were they on the boat
when you bought it ?

Who did your drive? I see your in CT.

Is there visual difference thats easy to see ?
color or numbers? Or is it a heat treating thing ?

It was my understanding that HD gears were standard
in the SS drives.

Daddio

Re: Alpha SS
 

Isn't an SS a Short shaft ? Also 1.32 gears and they can take 400 Ponies. BBB

Re: Alpha SS
 

Drives were on the boat when I bought it

I use a guy in East Haven

Huge difference in the gear sets, HD set was beefer.

Someone could have changed the gears before I bought it, the rest of the boat was butchered so it would not surprise me one bit, if someone put standard gears in the drives.

Re: Alpha SS
 

Some more helpful information.

The SS was made from 1986-1989. They were offered with 1.50 and 1.3x gears. The 1.5 was available in HD.

They were sold for under $3500 brand new if I remember right. You can still buy them new, from Land & Sea. Price has jumped up a bit, as of a few weeks ago the 1.50HD complete upper was $3900.

These drives do not always help. It brings the X too high on some boats, causing handling problems.

Re: Alpha SS
 

Acording to Mercury Racing my S/S is a 1990. They needed the serial number as my serial number does not have "90" ant place in it. Ken

Re: Alpha SS
 

Thanks for all the info !
I will be listing my boat with the drive.
It is on a 1987 18 Powerplay XLT with a 350/260hp with a
trailer for @ $4500 . I was toying with keeping the drive for
next boat but am going back to outboards. I think . But the
cost of buying another drive to put on this boat to sell is not
worth it .

Again, Thank for info

Daddio

Re: Alpha SS
 

Would you like to trade, 1.50 Reg Gen 1 Alpha plus cash for the SS?

Re: Alpha SS
 

I called Land & Sea ( in NH) and they referred me to
Land 'n' Sea (in Florida)

neither one had new Alpha SS Drives ?

I may be intrested in trading .I may have another drive not SS
( friend located one )

I would like to sell the boat first. Just trying to decide
need bigger boat with cuddy(Wife & Daughter)
Looking at like 24 Superboat type or 22 Velocity

Daddio

Re: Alpha SS
 

Well, I have a 1.5 ratio Alpha (2 actually) I would like to work out a trade.

Re: Alpha SS
 

I will be listing the boat and drive under Powerplay later
today . I would like to keep together because I wouldnt like
the loss of performance with a regular Alpha. (being use to
the SS drive)

Re: Alpha SS
 

I listed the boat in SWAP SHOP under 21'
sorry took so long.

Daddio