Gear oil reservoir system - 1988 vs 1998 Bravo TA

[Lift12]

I have 1999 boat with twin Bravo 1s, 0L159373 and 698. Starboard Transom #0L531223.
The PO replaced the Port transom assembly with an older version (1988), 0C372852, and decided for whatever reason not to connect the gear oil reservoir to the bell housing. I feel this is an important system and want to get it operable. Inside the boat I have the reservoir and hose and can see that appears to be connected to the inner TA, to the right of the seawater intake hose. Of course I don't really have access without removing the engine...

Looking at the parts diagrams for each, I see that Mercury lists "old design" (1988) parts as well as parts that match the "newer" design of my 1998 original equipment. My Manual #28 published May 2000 shows the even newer plastic version with quick connect, which isn't what I have on the starboard side.

Today, I visually compared the two and can see that the shape of the TAs are different at the place where the 1998 thru hull connector (part # 18922) would go, as well as there not being a hole, so I can't simply install the missing parts as I'd hoped.

None of the resources I mentioned show where the 1988 version of this system came through the hull. I believe my next step is to remove the bell housing and bellows for a better view.

For those of you with experience with the different assemblies, How should I proceed?

Many Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... '88 was the 1st year for the Bravo, 'n I believe it didn't have the remote oil bottle, so there'll be no plumbing either,.....

 

[dubs283]

The 1988 transom assy would most likely be the very first designed bravo assy available to the market

The optional gear lube monitor system used a stainless braided line/hose from the upper gear lube vent hole in the driveshaft housing routed through the transom above and to the side of the transom assembly and attached to a gear lube monitor bottle held in place on the bilge side of the transom. Not too many left out there (there werent many made this way) especially with the monitor line/bottle still in place.

I'd guess the PO didn't utilize the system and installed a standard plug in the vent hole thus not relying on a monitor system maybe just checked the lube level/quality at the vent hole every so often?

Best bet to use the monitor bottle/line you have would be to source a new/used transom assy closer/exact to your 1999 vintage drive/boat/etc...

 

[Fun Times]

Unfortunate the very first generation of the Bravo Transom assemblies did not come with or utilize the oil reservoir. I do not believe a hole is drilled for it in the 88 model…89 was when they first started using it..

The Top right sounds more like the area for the speed O hose vs oil hose.

– Locknuts and Flat Washers (8) – Screw – Steering Lever Continuity Wire – Transom Plate Continuity Wire – Gear Lube Fitting – Water Inlet Fitting Screws – Models with Water Bypass Fitting – Speedometer Fitting

Torque Specifications a. 20-25 lb. ft. (27-35 N.m) b. 70-90 lb. ft. (8-10 N.m) c. 45 lb. in. (5 N.m)

 

[Lift12]

*groan* Just my luck.

Dubs, I'm aware of the external system you speak of from it's use on Alphas. Perhaps I'll consider something like it. Frequent haul outs are inconvenient (expensive) on a 34' Sundancer.
I have experience with an Alpha that ran without gear oil/with water. I guess I'll just live in fear until I can bring myself to swap out the first gen TA.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of a pointless disassembly.

 

[dubs283]

Thanks for saving me the trouble of a pointless disassembly.

No problem, if/when you decide to upgrade it may be in your interest to upgrade to bravo 2 or 3 drives. I'd reckon to see bravo 2's oem on a '34 DA of that vintage opposed to 1's but I've seen weirder things in the wild.

Hull design on the '30-'40 class have changed a bit for the DA's since 1999 and most/all these days are equipped with bravo 3 sterndrives. Not too sure if 3's would work on your hull like hulls these days but if you got the time and money it might be fun.

I managed to hit 37 mph in a 320 DA with 3's just this morning

 

[Lift12]

It would be fun to experiment. 3s became an option in 2000 on the same boat. The 340 with outdrives is rather uncommon and I appreciate the performance at the top end over shafts. It begins to slip off the step below 30 mph and I've wondered if 2s or 3s would change that. No doubt that more blade surface makes a difference. 4 blades on my twin 5.7 270 AJ made for significant overall performance improvement with nearly no loss at the top end.

 

[Lift12]

FT your image wasn't visible to me previously, thank you. Is this the '88 model? The hose I traced from the reservoir went to 5B in the left middle image. 5.-Gear Lube Fitting