Mercruiser Alpha One Gen I Water Pump Impeller Replacement

[@Arcturian1111]

Put the water wheel down first then the housing. Much easier. Thats the way its done in service school, i learned that trick online.

[@derekkinsey8319]

Thank you Very Much I needed to see an Alpha 1 Gen 1 in more detail, appriciated

[@PCgamestech]

I like how everyone says theres plenty of videos out there showing how to install it back, but theres almost zero out there and someone needs to show how they installed it back into place without issues, because it seems like everyone who installs theres back in have issues and now one wants to show how they did it without any issues.

[@ponderdat]

Ditto.

[@Davesfishinghole]

What are the two small holes on the water pump base for?

[@niarffeadnarim3473]

Thanks for the Great video! Explained everything very well! 👍🏻

[@alexaderreyes5945]

Very good tutorial brother thanks for your time very useful for me appreciate it very much

[@petemait]

One thing I would add is don't forget to put the 3/8 Allen bolt back inside the lower unit before you put them together. The 3/8 Allen can't be inserted after the lower unit is bolted to the upper unit. I made this mistake

[@jandjmca]

I had trouble getting it back on the motor finally, used floor jack to lift it in place a little at a time and giggle the front little spline to get lined up and rotating the propeller tell it locked

[@kaylashosho6852]

I believe the previous owners of our boat changed ours but didn’t have it full throttle at the helm. Our forward is reverse and our reverse is forward now. Someone suggested they didn’t have it in the proper position when changed? Would this be accurate and how would I repair that? Suggestion please???

[@orvilleholt5728]

For some reason the lower unit won't go all the way up into position on mine. What's going on?

[@gadamcyk]

Great video, short, Sweet, and to the point.

[@andrewduffett3052]

Great video.....is this the only way the water cools the motor....I have a 1988 5.7 Merc cruiser inside

[@deep6predator1]

you rock, going to save me around $365.00 (thats what they said to replace mine) thank you

[@jasonnester9514]

I’m dealing with my motor not sucking in water I noticed there is also a water pump on the engine how exactly does the water pump and impeller work as a whole and how do I know which one is broke

[@Jason-un9ps]

The water pump on the engine is for coolant or "fresh water". The impeller he replaced sucks in actual water or "raw water". Look up Mercruiser closed cooling system for a diagram of how it works

[@stronglyrootedyou]

Thank you for this! I'm attempting to replace the water pump and impeller tomorrow.

[@grantthebomb165]

did you get it back togeather

[@skipper1552]

Fascinating video I hope you don't mind me asking just a dumb question, I just replaced a completely cooked impeller in alpha one gen 1 actually I replaced the entire water pump including the lower housing the question what I have is when I connect rabbit ears and run water to the lower unit should I see water coming out from the guiding tube before I install the lower unit together with the upper one?

[@lowchopr1]

Brother that's a great video thank you

[@josedj116]

What is the size of the water sending tube?

[@mitchndjnmtch]

HOW DID YOU GET THE SEAL ON THE COPPER WATER TUBE INTO THE HOLE IT HAVING A LITTLE NIPPLE ON IT? GOING INTO THE UPPER CASE.

[@camplife2687]

I'm a little unclear on the question....

[@mitchndjnmtch]

​@@camplife2687 Where the copper water tube that is in the upper stern drive goes, there is a seal that has a round portion on the side of it. How do you insert it in the hole without destroying it? After you get it in there that is were the copper tube goes where attaching the lower unit after replacing the water pump.

[@mitchndjnmtch]

In the video, when it starts, it is on the copper tube. in the lower unit. When I replaced the water pump and installed the lower unit I destroyed the seal or sleeve. What ever it is called. When pulling the lower unit the thing should stay in the hole as it has the nipple on the side of it.

[@camplife2687]

Grease my friend lol. Get that seal installed, make sure you have a new tube or your old one is well cleaned up with no burrs. Grease it up well and slide it in straight.

[@mitchndjnmtch]

@@camplife2687 The old guide that the tube fits in is in the upper unit and has a nipple that fits in a hole in the side. How do I put a new one in without destroying it. Do I bend it and push it in and pop the nipple in the hole?

[@Roger-eh7ez]

Just a kind comment. When you showed turning the driveshaft @ 5:34, you were turning it counter-clock wise. Should turn it clockwise to prevent the pump impeller legs from accidentally flipping.

[@streetbobheaven4068]

I was thinking the same thing…. Wtf my guy!!

[@motorcitywestauto4674]

Wish I had seen this yesterday before I did mine. Tons of stuff in the alpha 2, but nearly nothing on the gen 1.

[@MASTERAIDEN]

I’m having a problem with the throttle linkage. It won’t go in neutral or reverse

[@chrisfisher3638]

MASTERAIDEN I have neutral but no reverse and I have to go way forward to engage the drive.

[@evanbushong4291]

Does the water tube take water up too the motor?

[@jonmoore3326]

My water pump impeller is stuck on the shaft . Any tips on how to get it off ? I've been prying with 2 flat heads but it's stuck like chuck

[@camplife2687]

Just the impeller, or the housing too?

[@jonmoore3326]

@@camplife2687 just the impeller

[@leesire]

How often do you have to replace impeller? Both ? Tia

[@BlueEyeTableRockLake]

I've got an early Gen1 R type make sure because the base housing is different from the newer MR Gen1s

[@mrsa101]

i keep bumping the prop some how and putting it in neutral then it's all jacked up once installed. any tricks to keeping the shift cable and the splines lined up!!!!???

[@camplife2687]

Set the remote to full forward and hold the prop in full forward and locked position.

[@pkoldman]

Great video! Thank you!

[@davidjessee7701]

Put the impeller on the shaft first.... Then while turning the shaft push down the impeller housing.. it will fold the veins in and slide on like butter....

[@justjim4408]

jim here. and also turn the shaft counterclockwise so the veins are going the correct way.

[@oregonbytheseaholt492]

great except for where all the gaskets go and in what order which is what is needed most.

[@steven8075]

LOL literally the only reason i was watching this.... so thanks man... i guess?

[@chrismiesmer3907]

Have done all this after my impeller shredded but still no water up top what next?

[@camplife2687]

If you're impeller came apart, it likely clogged somewhere upstream. Most of the time it clogs at a 90* or an elbow.

[@TheSeangerber]

you have to turn the gear clockwise until the prop starts to turn. Also the shifter in the boat must be in forward or you wont be able to get it back in.

[@jasonmay3875]

Do u put it in forward gear before dropping the lower unit?

[@avocadoman3416]

Yes

[@dougthomasmusic]

Yes

[@strada21_]

Thanks

[@robertrice3011]

What about the "0"ring on the shaft right below the spline? I've read you don't need it, and it can let water in and ruin shaft... 9 out 10 times it roll over and won't seat in O ring groove..

[@chrisskinner6483]

I just did mine, but when I went to fill it up, oil came out of the weep holes on the side. What did I do? Is it that little o ring? Maybe that fell out? What else could cause that?

[@chrisskinner6483]

Camp Life the hole on the side below where the upper and lower go together. I'm betting it's that little oring thats next to the impeller housing.

[@redflagNeagle]

Little o ring between upper and lower unit must of fell off or forgotten off

[@chaser4251]

I found out I didn’t install my water pump kit right with the gaskets and now it’s leaking oil out the bottom. I thought it was the o right but it’s the bottom of the water pump kit. Can u show a vid or proper water pump kit all together I can’t find anything

[@camplife2687]

Unfortunately, the boat is in the lake for the summer. I'll post one if I do another this summer.

[@atheerismail1838]

Thank you for this great video Hi i have a mercruiser 7.4 bravo 1 do i have same impeller or its different ? Thank you

[@timh4595]

Thanks a bunch! Much appreciated.

[@trevorthomas93]

Is it safe to fire it up and check that the shifter cable lined up correctly (drive, neutral, reverse) BEFORE putting in the gear oil? Would hate to have to drain it and take apart then put in all new oil.

[@camplife2687]

trevorthomas93 no. Absolutely not. You don't need to be running to check functionality.

[@trevorthomas93]

Ok, after re-assembling just switch gears and make sure it feels right? then oil up and good to go? Thanks for video, doing this fairly simple chore tomorrow

[@johnj8686]

what exactly is the purpose of putting it in full forward? i've had mine off and on before ever hearing of that and never had any issues

[@camplife2687]

It just makes it easier to line both back up during assembly. Being off even one spline can cause issues.

[@davidjessee7701]

Having in forward gear makes it easier when reinstalling the lower ..then you can turn the prop shaft to line up the splines..

[@millerhighlife471]

What type of oil for the lower unit

[@camplife2687]

Any oil designed for lower units. I've been using Quicksilver 80w-90 lower unit gear lube for this one.

[@grantthebomb165]

hey i have a alpha one gen 1 any ideas o how to reinstall omg i am so fustrated as i can not the shifter t line up at the back end keeps slipping down and wont stay an there is no alpha one gen 1 videos to reinstall and it is not the same

[@normm2799]

Should the remote control be in forward before the lower unit is removed?

[@camplife2687]

Yes, that makes it easier.

[@redflagNeagle]

That's not true at all. The latch between the lower and upper unit will slide right out no matter if the boat is in geat or not

[@camplife2687]

@@redflagNeagle no one said it wouldn't, it's much easier to put everything in full forward.

[@Gsuperstar7]

Good video but I feel you skip a lot of very important details.

[@elo7393]

Ernesto Mendoza Amen

[@brentlarose4894]

very helpfull. i have a couple of Q's 1] when i replaced the lower unit of the impeller didnt seem to seat like the original.. 2] after i put the lower half back in. there was a small leek . the oil seal was in did i miss another seal where the shifter shaft is??? thats where its dripping a tad. BTW i have the same alpha 1 gen 1 mercuiser as yours in the vedio.... any ideas???? Brent

[@MrGoosepoo]

With the impeller was it an OEM part or aftermarket? That can make a big differance in quality.

[@brentlarose4894]

@@MrGoosepoo Thank you for responding... I found the problem after i took the outdrive out.. the drive gear shaft oil seal wae decinigraded. this bayliner has been in the family from the begining. 1971 bayliner. BUT no one used it only 69 hours. so im replacing bellows , etc.. EVERYTHING from prop to steering wheel. almost finished hope this is the last part to install [fingers crossed] once again thankyou very much...

[@dbk81]

Very well done video.

[@MikeSsuncoasttrains]

I have a 1973 searay with a 302 v8. Will this part number fit my alpha one.

[@MikeSsuncoasttrains]

No you idiot!!

[@douglascunningham1840]

Show the bottom of the water pump bsse. Thanks

[@sesarherrera28]

What kind of oil do ya pump in 90 weight?

[@leesire]

What does the anode do?

[@camplife2687]

It's a sacrificial metal piece that is used to protect the surrounding metal from being consumed by the process of electrolysis.

[@leesire]

Camp Life I have to see what that is.

[@leesire]

Camp Life thanks!

[@hanger1882]

Thanks for making this. Did you run that upper o ring below the splines? I know some people don’t.

[@camplife2687]

Hanger18 yes, I use the o ring. Make sure it's properly positioned and there won't be an issue.

[@MFA-Marcelo]

Guys, I need helppp. I get to a 1/2 in opening and cant close or join the lower and upper unit. What is the trick? I had turned the axeland the shifter connection looks good. Help please.

[@lowchopr1]

Shake the shit out of it.

[@chrisking7255]

Good video !! No offense .. but if I may add my opinion "I might be a perfectionist" but using Triple guard grease on every orings and marine compound on every sealing parts of the water pump kit is a "must do" !!

[@ngirardo86]

I would rather you make a longer video showing every single step. This was a good video but for those inexperienced the steps you find unimportant might give some a hard time.

[@camplife2687]

I appreciate the input. Unfortunately, for every one that wishes it was longer, there are 5 complaining when videos are too long.

[@ngirardo86]

@@camplife2687 those people can fast forward. You cant do anything to get missing steps back

[@ponderdat]

@@ngirardo86 Ditto.

[@eds.877]

Nice video other than you didn't show putting the lower case back up and on. Mines binding with an inch to go. I can get nuts on but it won't go up all the way. Been at it for two hours.

[@dougthomasmusic]

Right? I have the same problem. How did you end up getting up all the way?

[@eds.877]

@@dougthomasmusic I took it to a boat shop and the mechanic very slightly enlarged the little holes the dowel pins go into with a drill bit. Then it slid right up with both of us on it. He said it's a common issue on older units. Plus having a second person to help instead of just manhandling it up by myself helped a lot to be able to wiggle it back up into place. Hope this helps you.

[@tjwoolsey478]

Lock your prop with bungee cords first is a big help

[@petemait]

Do you have to disconnect and reconnect shifter cable when you do this? Going to replace my impeller this weekend and wasn't sure about that part. Also do you just use marine grease? Thank you

[@camplife2687]

You do not disconnect the "shifter" at the remote or motor brackets. Set the remote in full forward to aid in putting the lower back together.

[@petemait]

@@camplife2687 ok, didnt know if the shifter cable itself went down into the lower unit, was just unsure about that. Thank you

[@mintheman1]

I'm having trouble with my gears I put it all back together I have forwarded and nutual but it will not go in reverse can some one tell me what I'm doing wrong

[@camplife2687]

Sounds like your off a bit. If it all worked well before, you need to pull it back apart, put remote in full forward, lock the lower in full forward while holding the prop, then reassemble.

[@mintheman1]

@@camplife2687 thank you for your help I think i might have let the presher of the prop

[@mikeriley8546]

thanks a lot great video.

[@ronmiller9719]

Is this the same process for 1974 crestliner amf

[@Budl1te]

If it has a Mercruise Alpha one Gen 1 then yes. You can search for the video to tell the difference between the two. My Crestliner (1969) had an OMC outdrive, totally different.

[@redflagNeagle]

That would be pre alpha very similar

[@peterglick9964]

I don't know how to align the forward and reverse gear on the lower unit and where I should set the female part on the upper unit. I took the lower part off while it was in neutral. I've tried turning the shaft on the lower unit clockwise with the shifter in forward. when I finally got the two units together I couldn't get reverse to engage. What am I doing wrong?!!!!

[@mintheman1]

I'm having the same problem

[@blueovalboy351]

Just curious, what do you mean by remote in full forward? Are you talking about the throttle or the trim?

[@blueovalboy351]

Camp Life thanks! I figured that’s what it was just wanted to double check

[@Budl1te]

Great video.

[@toms7307]

Great instructions. Hopefully I have a gen 2. ;)

[@byoesteem5275]

Can The water pump impeller stop the flow of water to the engine?

[@camplife2687]

If the impeller comes apart, it can travel throughout the system and clog it.

[@mitchndjnmtch]

I AM ASSUMING YOU ARE STILL WITH US.

[@davidroach6984]

Does the boat need to be in drive when reinstalling? I accidentally left mine in neutral. Not sure what to do.

[@camplife2687]

Iron Bomber OSRS if the boat was in forward drive when removed, it needs to be in forward drive to reinstall.

[@davidroach6984]

Camp Life how do I put the engine in forward with the lower unit off? Sorry, don’t know much about boats

[@davidroach6984]

Camp Life I left my boat in neutral so is it ok if I put the lower unit back on in neutral with no problems?

[@camplife2687]

Just pull it back apart, put the remote shifter in forward, and rotate the shift shaft on the lower fully clockwise. Then hold the prop counter clockwise in locked position while mounting back up.

[@davidroach6984]

Camp Life thanks

[@thomasmcelhone3970]

Thanks for sharing

[@walterpollock4900]

Would've liked to see the entire process. All you shown is vague. Teaching videos should be with full detail.

[@rudolphhaas2887]

Nice video

[@MrGoosepoo]

Folks should always put a little Vaseline or lube on the impeller when re-installed.

[@rlehman6825]

I found that installing the impeller first matching the shaft key and then lowering the impeller housing (coating the inside with a small amount of dish detergent) and then using the propeller to rotate the impeller in forward makes sure the impeller rotates the proper direction and aides in a quick and efficient install. The dish detergent will disappear once water is applied where lubes may not.

[@TheRealPhilipMessina]

Thanks man!

[@stich1960]

Hahahaha did you take it apart and then clean it all up before doing this video because every part of mine has been seized like nothing I have come across, trying to get the impeller off now...

[@camplife2687]

No sir. One of the benefits of doing it every other year is that it usually looks this clean. Keep in mind, this old boat only sees freshwater, but it sits docked in it all summer.

[@stich1960]

@@camplife2687 lol this ones fresh too, but acording to when the registration expired its sat for about 30 years. Any recomendations to get off the impeller when the brass is seized to the shaft?

[@f296877]

Thanks!

[@Americanman450]

Not bad man thanks

[@hazmechanic7996]

what's the ideal temp. and how i know if its overheating

[@camplife2687]

Haz Mechanic temps will depend on motor, lake temp, type of sending unit, dash gauge, thermostat, and use.

[@camplife2687]

You really don't want to see 200 or above under any circumstance.

[@camplife2687]

Ideally, the most you should see for extended periods is 185ish.

[@hazmechanic7996]

thank you very much man i really appreciate it i think i got blown head gasket or something cause the after 15 / 20 min it gets very hot and start to smoke lightly around the exhaust, im not boat man but im trying to help friend i changed the points and the capacitor for him to get his boat running but now we dealing with the smoke even that we run the garden hose to test it out but still gets very hot,,, so what you think?

[@Funbgs2]

You wouldn't technically need to remove the whole outdrive to do this. But it is good practice to do so. Just so you can inspect the gimble bearing and replace any old gaskets while regreasing the splines of the outdrive shaft.

[@dbk81]

No, you shouldn’t be taking your outdrive off annually, that’s bad advice, this video shows exactly what needs to be done to replace the impeller.

[@Funbgs2]

@@dbk81 I think you miss understand me. I meant taking off your out drive every year just to inspect the bellows isn’t really needed.

[@maxwellsilver3115]

thanks!

[@Tizocr]

come on DUDE you forgot to tell that before taking the unit apart you need to put forward the saft this is very important

[@camplife2687]

Watch again, it is at the very beginning!

[@davew235]

Looks just like my '85 Sunbird 216

[@billxarmour4543]

I agree , to much skipped over.

[@camplife2687]

Honestly, if someone requires that much direction, they'd be much better off using a factory service manual or a marine mechanic. For 95% of folks tackling this job, they just need a little direction and aren't interested in watching a 40 minute video. Appreciate the feedback!

[@chrisciraldo4935]

Waste of time you didn't show anything where each gasket went

[@gm1937]

I would replace the microphone first and the impeller second

[@TheCarajos]

Stupid comment