I have an alpha one drive on my formula. 2 seasons on the rebuild. I have never had any metal at all in my oil. I had a skeg welded on over winter. I have changed my oil after about every 2 hours of runtime this season with about 8 hours total. In those intervals, when I drain into a 12 inch diameter pan, I get about 1/16 of an inch of metal in the bottom of the pan. I then pulled the top cap off and all looks great, so I think it's in the lower. The drive does not leak, shifts great, no funny vibes either. Should I have it pulled apart further, run it with no worries, or run it til it blows?

start shopping CL for a spare alpha lower. I doubt the weld job caused the metal in oil. just time and throttle.

The drive is going to the shop in the am for a tear down.

alphas are a dog clutch style when you hear that ratchet sound that is the dogs trying to engage..it will always have a metallic look to the oil when drained,,if you see chunks then worry..

I know a little bit of metal is normal. A large amount in 2 hours of run time with about 5 shifts total seems excessive.

3 chipped teeth on the forward gear. I was quoted $1000 for parts and labor to replace the gear in the lower. Seems expensive to me.

I would get an SEI lower with a 3 year warranty for $750-850 depending on what Gen you have.
http://www.sterndrive.cc/