Long or short? - Actual Length of driveshaft is 26 1/4"

[Mercproject]

I have a 1966 Merc 650
The actual Length of driveshaft is 26 1/4".
I am looking to find a replacement.
I am assuming it is a long shaft, which is part # A-45-38460

Ther are no part numbers on the driveshaft.

Can anyone confirm that a 26 1/4" long driveshaft is a "long shaft"?

Thank you
Andy K

 

[wired247]

Re: Long or short? - Actual Length of driveshaft is 26 1/4"

Sounds like an Long to me if you are talking about overall length.

 

[Mercproject]

Re: Long or short? - Actual Length of driveshaft is 26 1/4"

Sounds like an Long to me if you are talking about overall length.

Thanks for the quick response.
Just additional information:

There is no preload pin.

Only 2 sizes are listed in the parts book, and there is no extension, it is one piece.

Andy K

 

[79Merc80]

Re: Long or short? - Actual Length of driveshaft is 26 1/4"

15" is a short

20" is a long

25"is an extra long

30" is an extra, extra long

 

[wired247]

Re: Long or short? - Actual Length of driveshaft is 26 1/4"

Those numbers don't mean anything in the real world when you are trying to measure lowers to figure out what you have. Length of the top of the shaft from the base as installed on a long shaft lower is 22 1/4" ish. Overall length of the shaft itself end to end is in the 26 inch range for a long shaft. I suppose if you measure from the base of the splines to the top of the lower unit you MIGHT get 20 inches for a long shaft.

 

[Mercproject]

Re: Long or short? - Actual Length of driveshaft is 26 1/4"

Some sellers on eBay were kind enough to take measurements for me.
Although the actual measurements are what I am looking for, the terminology still stumps me.
(again, these measurements are of the driveshafts sitting on the workbench and not when installed)

Seller # 1 reports he has for sale a Long Shaft drive shaft, part number 38459, and is 26 9/32" long.
The driveshaft is in the original parts tube, so I assume it is accurate.
For all intents and purposes, the same as mine BUT the parts book lists a 38459 as a short shaft.


Seller # 2 reports his 38460 is 30 7/8" long, and describes it as a Long Shaft for a 6 cyl, 700 HP, (I assume he means 70 HP).
It does not have the groove for the o-ring at the top.

Moral of the story - before you buy, get the actual measurment of the shaft you need, it seems that short shaft and long shaft are relative terms (just like in other aplications). I maintain that it not the length of the shaft, but what you are doing with it.

Thank you everyone for your help and input, I appreciate it.

Any more confirmations or denials are always welcome.

Andy K