Mercruiser out drive compatibility

Ghg

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Is there any difference between the outdrives of 1967 Mercruiser 4 cylinder and same year Mercruiser 6 cylinder? Any gear ratio difference?
 

alldodge

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There is no difference other then the possibility of a different ratio
Most will be different ratios if installed on the same model boat, but if different boats can have different ratios
 

Bondo

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Is there any difference between the outdrives of 1967 Mercruiser 4 cylinder and same year Mercruiser 6 cylinder? Any gear ratio difference?
Ayuh,...... Welcome Aboard,.... The housings should be the same,....
The gear ratios will be different though,.....
The I-4 should be 1,98:1,....
The I-6 could be 1.84:1, or 1.65:1,......
 

Bondo

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Going from I 6 to I 4
Ayuh,.... Then you'll need to drop some prop pitch,.....
Donno how much though, depends on which ratio the drive is,.....
What prop pitch were you running on the I-4, when it had the proper ratio,..??
Hopefully, you'll be able to find a prop small enough,.....
 

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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Ayuh,.... Then you'll need to drop some prop pitch,.....
Donno how much though, depends on which ratio the drive is,.....
What prop pitch were you running on the I-4, when it had the proper ratio,..??
Hopefully, you'll be able to find a prop small enough,.....
If he is going from a 6 cylinder to a 4 cylinder drive doesn't he need to increase pitch?
 

alldodge

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It had 23 stamped on the prop, is that the pitch?
Might be, need to look further

If he is going from a 6 cylinder to a 4 cylinder drive doesn't he need to increase pitch?
No, would need to decrease pitch

Might even think about not doing it depending on what boat it is. If the boat is heavy for a 6cyl then it will be a dog with a 4cyl, even with less pitch
 
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