Outdrive advice...

[tonyjh63]

Ok, I'll try to find the engine S/N. I found the transom plate identifier, but the S/N is so far gone, I can't tell what it is...

 

[tonyjh63]

I did find some numbers on the breather plate, but of course now I'm seriously doubting that it's the original. The "engine serial number" is illegible, the "transom serial number" reads 0L273545 and the "drive serial number" reads 0L192561.

 

[thumpar]

The drive serial number pulls up as a 1.62:1 ratio. I would still check it though.

 

[muc]

BRA18022F899 Manufacturer: BRYANT
OTHER Length & Width: 018 - 008
Boat Model: 182

Warranty Period:

07/30/1998 - 07/30/1999

ENG: 0L076844 4211015LS MERCRUISER 4.3L ALPHA
DRV: 0L192561 5121300LS MERCRUISER ALPHA 1.62:1
TRN: 0L273545 6111001LS MERCRUISER ALPHA TRANSOM

 

[tonyjh63]

Wow, cool beans, muc! That right there is some good info! Like you said, though, I still need to get the actual drive ratio checked - looks like the whole drive unit may have been replaced - where else would the other numbers ("2.00R" and "OM413039") have come from, right? I'll find some way of having it checked before the season starts - really, the main reason to find out is if I find the boat's overall performance unsatisfactory and want to replace the prop, right?
Thanks again, muc!

 

[muc]

My guess is that the drive got replaced at some point and it is a 2.00:1 ratio.
It should still work good for you. Only real problem is that will put you in the 23"-25" pitch range. That limits the selection of props.
Boat should run in the upper 40's MPH

 

[Rick Stephens]

The very easiest way to make sure you know what gear set is either to pop the top off the outdrive and count the number of teeth on the gear set, OR, pull the drive off and turn the u-joint shaft.

The only accurate method on the manual shaft turning method is to see how many turns on the input shaft - the one with the u-joint, it takes to turn the prop 10 turns.
If it takes 20 turns to turn the prop 10 rotations then you have 20:10 ratio - which divides down to 2.00:1 ratio
If it takes 18 and 1/2 turns, you would have 1.84:1 ratio
If it takes 16 turns you have 1.62:1 ratio


And so on. Very accurate method each. Gear sets and number of teeth are also well defined and definitive. Anything else is a guess.

 

[Starcraft5834]

"That's what happens when you drop off your boat to have it checked out. . . "

yup...

sort of like the fox saying, sure, I will watch your chickens for you.......nothing to worry about.........

for those where $ is no big deal............ dropping off your boat to a shop and saying "whatever it needs".............. go for it..

as for me.........being a member of this forum can save thousands.......... U Tube is handy too............

 

[tonyjh63]

The very easiest way to make sure you know what gear set is either to pop the top off the outdrive and count the number of teeth on the gear set, OR, pull the drive off and turn the u-joint shaft.

The only accurate method on the manual shaft turning method is to see how many turns on the input shaft - the one with the u-joint, it takes to turn the prop 10 turns.
If it takes 20 turns to turn the prop 10 rotations then you have 20:10 ratio - which divides down to 2.00:1 ratio
If it takes 18 and 1/2 turns, you would have 1.84:1 ratio
If it takes 16 turns you have 1.62:1 ratio


And so on. Very accurate method each. Gear sets and number of teeth are also well defined and definitive. Anything else is a guess.

When you write "pop the top off the outdrive...", what exactly are you referring to? Could someone post a pic? Also, would this be a simple procedure of popping it off, counting the teeth, and bolting it back on? No grease or oil to replace, etc.? Thanks!

 

[alldodge]

The cap is item 1 in link below, it is removed by removing the 4 bolts.
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...r=120&bdesc=DRIVESHAFT+HOUSING+AND+DRIVESHAFT

To do this you would need to remove and count teeth on the drive and driven gears. Doing this only gives you part of the equation from the way I see it. IMO it would be easier to just rotate the drive shaft and count the prop turns

 

[tonyjh63]

^^^Ok, so how do I rotate the driveshaft and count the turns of the prop? Specifically, could someone walk me through the procedure of rotating the driveshaft? Thanks!

 

[alldodge]

^^^Ok, so how do I rotate the driveshaft and count the turns of the prop? Specifically, could someone walk me through the procedure of rotating the driveshaft? Thanks!

Remove prop
Remove drive and have it held by or hanging from a fixture.
Move shift foot straight forward or to starboard and ensure prop shaft locks in place. Now rotate the drive shaft and ensure prop shaft turns as drive shaft is turned.
Mark prop shaft and drive shaft (may be easier to mark u-joint on drive shaft)
Rotate drive shaft counting rotations of each

 

[Rick Stephens]

Lots easier with two people. Mark each shaft with a sharpie. Guy on the input shaft turn it and counts. Guy watching the output (prop) shaft count until he hits ten. Says stop. How many turns did it take on the input shaft/ There's your answer.

 

[tonyjh63]

Remove prop
Remove drive and have it held by or hanging from a fixture.
Move shift foot straight forward or to starboard and ensure prop shaft locks in place. Now rotate the drive shaft and ensure prop shaft turns as drive shaft is turned.
Mark prop shaft and drive shaft (may be easier to mark u-joint on drive shaft)
Rotate drive shaft counting rotations of each

Wow...yeah, I think I'll just operate on the assumption that it's now a 2.00:1 drive, and go from there! That's looks like a whole lot of mechanical work that frankly, I have no business tackling. LOL! Thanks anyway guys!

 

[Rick Stephens]

Pulling a drive and a prop is part of every year basic maintenance. Unless you want to be 120% at the mercy of boat shops, these are things you should be handling yourself.

 

[tonyjh63]

I can see myself pulling the prop, but pulling the drive itself? Nah...I value my boat too much to try anything like that...we're not all mechanically inclined, and I'm aware of my limitations...