72 3cyl to a 78 3cyl

[txbandit44]

I have a 72 65hp esl that the lower unit is toast. Instead of dealing with finding a lower unit I found a 78 75hp to replace it. I was thinking of keeping the 72 possbly for parts. I was wanting to know are they the same block? Could I pulle the good power head from the 72 model which has 150psi in all 3 cylinders and use it on the 78 model if the motor takes a dump? I know that the linkage and electronics are not going to work but looking at them side by side they look like the same block.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 72 3cyl to a 78 3cyl

i don't believe the splines on the drive shaft are the same. get the controls for the 78, and the 72 will not work.