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1. When did Merc realize the error of their ways and get rid of the carbon steel shafts? I remember in the mid to late '60's seeing the lower unit from a tower at a dealer's repair shop and saw one and it was unbelievably ugly. Could not possibly see how a seal could stay in contact with a mess like that. This is one area where OMC beat then hands down for many years.
2. Can a person such as Al replace his shaft with a SS one from a later model engine....drive shaft too?
Mark, My '77 Merc had Stainless. Likely not the first year. Driveshafts will likely be swappable, provided the driveshaft bearing system is the same. Remember Merc used preload pins on some years, and installed the driveshaft bearings in different ways on other years. These driveshafts may not be swapable.
