Lower unit ID help needed

[etc]

Hi all -

These were ID'd on another forum as 30-50HP Force or Chrys/West Bend.
I can't find PN's anywhere for further research, so thought I'd just ask the guys who know.
Driveshaft is .625" diam., propshaft .840".
They're surplus to me but shift properly, so I'd like to know just what they are 'cause someone can probably put 'em to good use.

Note - aft portion of skeg on white one is broken, and while gear housing looks larger, they're actually same size.

Thanks.

regards,

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Lower unit ID help needed

Those are shear pin drive lower units. They are not splined prop shafts so they are earlier than Chrysler. All Chryslers except for the very smallest (3.6, 4 HP) had splined prop shafts. Shift rod is also in the wrong place for a Chrysler. Water pump--from what I can see looks wrong and there are six bolts (holes) holding the lower unit to the leg. My guess would be NOT West Bend because Chrysler did not change the design. I would guess some sort of OMC lower, although the smaller OMC gearcase was split down the center. Maybe a pre-thru hub exhaust Merc?

 

[etc]

Re: Lower unit ID help needed

Thanks for the reply Frank, and you're right about 6-bolt and shear pin.
The gearcase bullet on my late '50s OMC 35 extends noticeably forward of the skeg, unlike these.
Odd thing is, OMC forum guys & Merc forum guys all said Force or Chry/WB! :facepalm:
Well, they came from somebody - just hafta keep digging.

BTW - can anyone tell me when splined shafts essentially replaced shear pins?
That'd narrow my search window.

regards.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Lower unit ID help needed

Yes, externally they do look like a Chrysler. Furthest I can go back is 1967. Chrysler bought West bend in --I think-- 1964. But by 1967 prop shafts were spline drive, even though the shear pin was retained as a THRUST pin. It located the prop fore and aft on the shaft while the splines actually drove the prop around.

Why don't you try The Chrysler Crew and ask Franz. he is an old Chrysler dealer who probably knows more than anyone else.

Another thought just occured to me: The old Homelite 55 four cycle engines had a lower unit that looked like that.

 

[etc]

Re: Lower unit ID help needed

Another thought just occured to me: The old Homelite 55 four cycle engines had a lower unit that looked like that.

Well Frank - you've solved the puzzle!
And I feel quite the ***.:facepalm:

You've reminded me I also have some partially disassembled Homelites I've ignored in trying to sort out the dockbusters.
That's precisely what these are.

Thanks a million!

regards,