Alpha or Bravo whats the difference?

Question

I always get asked the same question is it pre alpha,alpha 1 or Bravo, all i know is it is 1978 Mercruiser V8.

I have a bad gimbel ring and pin. I have located one on Ebay from a reputable Ebeyr, but I dont know if it will be the correct one, if it help,s Mine has the 5 Bolts for the y Pipe,

I accept Email and IM

Thank you

Answer 1

You don't have a Bravo outdrive they didn;t come out til years and years later.  They are the Bigger outdrive.

Alpha is probably what you have.

Answer 2

Probably Alpha or Alpha 1...Bravo is for high horsepower, I think.

Answer 3

The original MerCruiser Drive shifted in the lower unit and is known as an MC-I

That basic model was revamped and redesigned several times over the next few decades. Through its redesigns it has been called the R and the MR drive. A '78 is considered a MR-drive.

In 1983 the MR was slightly redesigned and called the Alfa-one. This unit was used in applications up to 330 HP.

In 1994 the Alfa-one was completely redesigned into what is called the Alfa-one generation 2. This drive is acceptable behind up to 300HP.

The Bravo-one came out in 1988 and utilizes a cone clutch to shift in the upper housing. It has gone through a few light redesigns and now comes in several standard versions (bravo-1 = hi horsepower applications 300+, Bravo-2 = larger lower unit for use in displacement hulls or where large prop blade area is required, Bravo-3= Counter rotating props.) The Bravo is also available in XR and XY High perf + hi torque applications.

The gimbal ring for the MR+Alfa one (gen 1) are interchangeable. When shopping for gimbal rings look at the mounting locations for the pins, which hold on the swiveling bell housing. The MR and Alfa-one use Allen headed machine bolts to attach the bell housing and have mounting holes on the outside of the ring for trim sensor/switch (the plastic circular sensors that mount on the Allen bolts). Older MC-1 and R drives hold the bell housing to the gimbal ring with horizontal pins held in place with aluminum rods (nails). They also do not have mounts for sensors.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 4

I have a 1983 searay with the 260 merc. and i have put in the gimbal bearing and a new gear set also a water pump they go bad every 2 or 3 years check it while it's out. GET A MANUAL OR PRINT IT OFF THE NET!!!

It was pre alpha also called model 1 from 1974 up to about 85 or 86 then alpha,  it's almost identical lots of parts exchange between the 2 but not all, look in your manual. then in around the 90's the came out with the bravo, It's totaly differant. I think they still use the alpa it's a good old outdrive, it holds up well on my 5,000 lb.+ boat