1988 merc

Question
I have just purchased a 1988 wilker boat with a 4 cyl. inline engine with a alpha one outdrive it is rated at 165 hp.4.3liter. The boat appears to be in great shape and has never been in salt water.I would like to know if you can tell me something about this drive system in regards to reliabilty,service tips or areas I should pay special attention to,it has 800 hours on it.      Thank You Wayne  

Answer
Hi Wayne, In all the years of being around and serviceing outdrive's the most over looked thing is the lube oil in the outdrive.When I owned a sterndrive I checked the drive oil BEFORE EVERY OUTING!!! This might seem a little overkill but, I never had an outdrive failure!! T0 add--most of the ones that I have to repair for customers-the cause of there problem was due to lack of lube oil.KEEP UP WITH YOUR OUTDRIVE LUBE--CHECK FOR WATER IN OIL AND OIL LEVEL OFTEN!!!