Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

Has anyone done a Alpha to Bravo swap? What does it entail? New transom hole? Transom plate? Gimbal? etc. Are any parts interchangeable? How much power can an alpha drive reliably handle? Thanks in advance for any help.

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

How much an alpha can handle depends on a number of things, boat, weight, use. . . The bravo swap is fairly simple. I know just enough to be dangerous here but you don't need a new transom hole just two additional bolt holes. There have been other threads on this, try a search. I'm sure someone will let you know the details.

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

you'll need the complete Bravo, Bravo transom assy and a belt driven raw water pump set up......apparent ly the swap out is fairly simple.......like F38 says, do a search

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

Outdrives.com used to offer a complete kit to change from an Alpha to Bravo. Not sure if they still do.

http://www.outdrives.com/

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

thanks for all your help

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

Many years ago I converted an alpha transom assembly over to a Bravo. It can be done, but trust me when I say you're better off just buying a Bravo transom assembly. I ran the Bravo a year and didn't like it (18' Formula with a 406ci SBC) so when I converted back to an Alpha I just bought a used alpha transom assembly.

Trigger outlined the rest...

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

The swap is fairly simple, like they said you just add two more holes in the transom and add a fresh water pump.

the only problem I can see is your X-Dimension. The bravo sits deeper in the water so if you do the swap your X will be lower. In addition to the X, you'll loose a little more speed becuase the Bravo sucks up a little more power.

Good luck on an Alpha if you have a big block, they only made a few Alpha Big Blocks and for good reason. To much torque for those drives. :drink:

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

Ok ! Listen up , if you are running under 400 Hp you can easily get away with an alpha 1 with a 1:32 GEAR RATIO OUTDRIVE.
I'm not bs'ing you this can and has been done. 1986 and 1987 454 alphas had 1:32-1 drives. I have been on several worked boats with alphas that had at least 450 Hp.
I'm not recommending this but it has been done and will work if the boat is not beaten on. I myself blew up several alpha lower units when i ran them 1.50 - 1 with a big block. It seems that when the lower is slowed down , esp. w/ the 1.32 upper the whole drive survives ! Try to use the newer 1990 and up style driveshaft without the groove for more durability. Bravo would be better, but really still is a toy compared to what is out there powerwise that will eat a Bravo as a snack. Unfortunatelly it comes down to $$$ (which I don't have enough of) BBB

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

thanks again...

Panther and BBB, the boat has a 350 sbc which I guess is pumping about 260-275 hp. If I were to upgrade the drive it is only to drop in a bbc........

perhaps drop in the bbc and see how it goes with a 1:32 to 1?

the boat is a 24' Monza sport deck....like a Pantera........

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

The gears are $408 from Bam. I have not seen them aftermarket. Make sure that they are shimmed perfectly. I did one for someone this summer, It's a pain and it takes a while, taking it apart , preloading, moving shims, checking clearance, pulling bearing races, etc. It may have to come apart several times to get everything right. The Merc. book must be followed to a t. Also at least check the backlash on the lower. If not done right it will shear the pinion gear right off. This happened to me when I had some local shop put a drive together, before I had all the tools. Make sure everything in the drive is good. Bearings , seals, etc. Also should go with improved shift spool in lower unit unless it already has one. 1990 and up should be stainless instead of brass. BBB

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

Most important on the Alpha is setting the pinion depth, then set the backlash and drive shaft free play.

Upper is similiar, check drive gear hight, then rolling pre-load.

I got so used to setting up Alpha's that I could set the backlash by feel but, I wouldn't recommend it. :eek: I don't think I could do it without the book nowadays, it's been a while. :D

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

I've got a TREMENDOUS amount of Gen1 Alpha One parts for sale if anyone is interested. ....and I really mean a whole lotta parts. Here's just a sample of what I need to get rid of.

Kurt

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

WOW ! Biggus you really are the man ! I had no idea you were that involved ! Kurt , I'm completely Impressed !!!

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

I would have to agree with you Big Block Billy. I've seen a pair of 454/420's on Alphas in a 26' Sutphen. It has not blown a drive yet. The boat runs over 70mph. Plus, the parts and new prices on Alpha drives are much cheaper.

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

interesting info, thanks

Re: Alpha to Bravo swap?
 

I had a 1988 22' stingray with a bb 602 hp pushing an alpha short drive.The only upgrade I had to do was a thru hull water pick up.The alpha just could not keep up with the demand to keep the engine cool.But I ran that boat for two years with no problems at all.I sold it last year to a guy in Virginia.Just take it easy out of the hole and keep it in the water on waves and you'll have no issues.

Anthony

Not to be a Necromancer to an old post, but I noticed a lot of people talking about keeping the Alphas in the water. Is this a revving issue, a cooling issue, both?

shock load issue

Meaning how hard you are hitting it out of the water?

I am looking at an old Formula with twin 350 magnums and Alphas. I don't know that I would ever change anything, but if I did have to rebuild or replace engines I am guessing Id go a bit more powerful. But I have hot rod boats if I want to hit it hard out of the hole.

Thank you!

J

Reviving an old thread. The shock load that's referred to is when re entering the water. The prop bites at high rpms and things can shred. So if you get air in a higher powered alpha you'd best modulate the throttle while the prop is free of the water and hit it again when reentering.
I just make sure not to break grip.

Dont do it. The X dimesion makes it run very deep in the water.

Another thing to think about is Bravos dont trim as high as Alphas and you may hit the grond depending on your trailer.

You can buy alot of Alphas for the cost of transom Assy, out drive, new coupler, sea pump set up etc that is needed for the conversion.

Are their any driveshafts out their ?( the shorts ) Or could a stock one be cut down ?

Transom ID bravo, alpha one gen II Bell and Drive
 

I'm sure this has been discussed previously. If this is the wrong place to post I ask the admin to redirect.
I have a 97 Rinker with a crate motor build from MichiganMotorz. The vortex silver package. The outdrive is a se upper and lower, I think se116 if I recall. When I bought the boat the gimbal housing had a crack parallel to where the shift cable sits in the housing. I was told that was because the previous owner left drive in up position during winter and ice pushed the thin walled housing out.
My question has to do with the transom. When I was calling around to line up a gimbal housing for replacement, because I paid someone way too much money to do a terrible weld job, I was perplexed by one marinas response when I provided the transom serial number he told me it was a bravo transom.
Is it possible to use an alpha one gen II bell housing and outdrive on a bravo transom? The power trim pumps don't look like the bravo setup.