Drive shaft Length?

[mpete1486]

I'm having lower unit issues and considering just buying a used one off of eBay. I keep seeing where they say to make certain I get the proper drive shaft length (It's for an '89 Evinrude 88 Special). How am I supposed to measure this? Do I need to take the lower unit off to get this measurement? Would Evinrude be able to tell me if I called and gave them the serial and model numbers?

 

[mark1961]

Re: Drive shaft Length?

If you post the model number here someone will tell you what shaft length the motor is......at a glance it appears that motor was only made in longshaft version anyway......ie. no shortshaft or extra longshaft.

 

[mpete1486]

Re: Drive shaft Length?

The model number is E88MSLCER. So that would mean it's a 25" shaft?

 

[mark1961]

Re: Drive shaft Length?

The model number is E88MSLCER. So that would mean it's a 25" shaft?

Nope.....the "L" means the motor is a 20" longshaft......if it was an extra longshaft there would be an "X" instead of "L"......while an extra longshaft lower unit can probably still be used it would mean the hassle of swapping the driveshaft over at a minimum, the easiest way is to replace your lower unit with one off a 20" longshaft from a compatible year.