about to order new outdrive but i have questions.

[diybrad]

I am about to order an outdrive for my 17' 7" 1990 thundercraft with a 4.3 v6. Mine has a broken skeg it is getting a little bit of water in it and i found some small but quite a bit of metal on the drain magnet.

According to my serial numbers i have a 1.84 gearing but on SEI's site i only see 1.81. i am guessing that little bit of difference wont matter. would the 1.81 be the replacement in this situation?

Also, just for giggles, what would using the 1.62 gear outdrive do in this situation. I know in cars dropping in gear hurts the hole shot but helps the top end. does it work the same with boats or am i thinking about it wrong?

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: about to order new outdrive but i have questions.

the 1.62 is used on 5.0 liter V8's. if your boat runs fine now, why mess with the gearing.

also, are you buying a whole outdrive, or just the lower unit?

 

[Don S]

Re: about to order new outdrive but i have questions.

Rule of thumb
1.98 = I4 3.0L
1.84 = V6 4.3L
1.62 = V8 5.0L
1.50 = V8 5.7L
1.32 = V8 7.4L

 

[Bondo]

Re: about to order new outdrive but i have questions.

Ayuh,.... Aside from Don's rules of thumb,...

I feel the 1.65 ratio is a cross-over ratio....

For the anemic 5.0l, in to big a boat,...
Or,..
For a decent runnin' 4.3l in a smaller barge...

I've got the 1.65 in my 22' tinbarge, 'n it'll pull with props up to 20"/ 21"....
With the 1.84 ratio, the 4.3s in smaller, 19', 'n under, are runnin' the hi-side of available prop pitches...

 

[diybrad]

Re: about to order new outdrive but i have questions.

the 1.62 is used on 5.0 liter V8's. if your boat runs fine now, why mess with the gearing.

also, are you buying a whole outdrive, or just the lower unit?

Everything is running fine, i was just wondering. I do plan on replacing the entire unit. It is more cost effective to do that and i know i will have a warrantied drive.

what would be a resonable price to sell a used drive with a broken skeg and needing a possible rebuild? $3-400?

Thanks