omc outdrive question

[sterndrivephill]

i have a 1974 silverline trihull with 140hp 4cy electric shift can i mount a 1978 omc 400 series outdrive in place of the electric shift without having to change anything but the outdrive i have shift cables and every thing to do it any info would be helpfull i dont see why it wouldnt work thanks

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc outdrive question

i have shift cables and every thing to do it

you answered your own question when you said you have everything to do it.

400 series are all low profile drives, whereas 1974 electric shifts came in 2 lengths, hi profile and low profile. If your 74 drive is high profile, the 400 series drive will sit 4" higher in the water and your prop will cavitate and you'll go nowhere.

 

[sterndrivephill]

Re: omc outdrive question

so if its a short it will go right in the electricshift intermediate housing also do you know the lenghts of the long and short and where to measure from i hope there is quite abit of differance in lenght according to my measurements their the same length

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc outdrive question

the difference is 4", so if you measure from ball gear to prop shaft you should be able to see if they are both low. Does your boat have Tru-Course steering? it was an option in 74, but not in 81. All 81's have trucourse.
most 74's had external cable steer.
the other issue will be the size of the cable passage through the intermediate. The electric wires are sma.ller. that hole will have to be enlarged somehow to fit the cable. not sure how best to do that. If you have the 1981 intermediate, you could just use it too

 

[sterndrivephill]

Re: omc outdrive question

the 400 series is off an 1978 both with trucourse steering everything looks the same if their the same lenght ill have to enlarge the hole ,but it should work putting on the intermediate housing they mesure 21in 22in