Chrysler- Force lower unit modifications

[Frank Acampora]

I was never very enthused about the water pick-up behind the prop on my 1969 Chrysler 55. So I decided to substitute a newer midsection while keeping the "Stump Stabber" gearcase. Since the only midsections I had were from 20 and 25 horsepower engines with a 9/16 drive shaft, I needed to ream out the upper bearing to 5/8 that the 55 uses.

Not wanting to get chips into the midsection, I pressed out the bearing and seal. I reamed the bearing to 5/8 but before pressing it in, I thought: The plain bushing is cheap and certainly wastes power. I went to the local bearing supplier and asked if there was a standard needle bearing in the bushing size. There was, and it only cost 7 bucks. So, I pressed in the needle bearing and now am in process of re-assembling the lower unit.

I doubt that the engine will become a fire breather because of that needle bearing but on these small engines, every bit helps.