Inline 4 cyl 50hp crankshaft interchange options

[Lock 45]

I have collected a few different years of 50hp 4 cylinder inlines. Some have distributors and some do not. The years range from 1968 to 1981. Will the crankshafts interchange? Are early belt drive distributor cranks different from electronic ignition cranks? Will they swap in one direction and not the other?

There will, no doubt, be a few more 50hp engines added to my collection by the end of this Summer. So I know what to look for, what span of years and what crankshaft interchangability can I expect from the 4 cylinder 50hp series of engines?

Will older cranks cross over into the newer style "Classic 45"?

Thanks.

 

[diaric]

Re: Inline 4 cyl 50hp crankshaft interchange options

you can do some crossreferencing your self on part numbers for cranks, vs the serial number, year range. someone else would have to guide you on the difference of some cranks. just cause a part number is different doesn't mean there's a big difference in the part. for instance, i looked up the crank for my 1966, 500 and its the same crank in 1968 http://www.mercruiserparts.com/SelectModelType3.asp?class_id=2