Mercrusier MC 1 outdrive

[hairchef]

Is it hard to find parts for /Anything I should be careful about operating like trim or tilt. Should I look for a parts one to have for later use ? thanks Dan B

 

[Scott Danforth]

I always like to have a spare drive. that way I will never need it.

however parts are available for your drive.

 

[ScottinAZ]

I always like to have a spare drive. that way I will never need it.

however parts are available for your drive.

my boat is same vintage as OP, with the Merc 120 setup. As soon as I find a donor boat close by with the same/similar setup, Im gonna snag it up for spares..... things arent getting any easier to find, shipping isnt getting any faster, and a "simple" failure on this old equipment can be season ending quick. Having a spare drive on hand means I can be back up and running in hours rather than weeks/months waiting for parts.

all that said, there is nothing on the boat that I wont run as designed, but remember, its 35-40+ years old at this point. Things WILL go wrong eventually, just be prepared for when they do

 

[Scott06]

Is it hard to find parts for /Anything I should be careful about operating like trim or tilt. Should I look for a parts one to have for later use ? thanks Dan B

Also one advantage you have is the MC1 drive can be bolt in replaced by the newer R/MR/Alpha One Gen one drives. So theoretically you could by a new OEM MERC or SEI aftermarket drive and bolt it in.

 

[nola mike]

I always like to have a three spare drive(s). that way I will never need it. won't be off the water for long

.

Here, fixed that for you

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here, fixed that for you

nah..... as soon as I put the spare drive together and on the stand as well as have a pile of spare props..... no prop damage, no leaking seals, no blistering paint, etc.

I have a spare trans for my car now and the intermittent synchro grind went away.

 

[hairchef]

Also one advantage you have is the MC1 drive can be bolt in replaced by the newer R/MR/Alpha One Gen one drives. So theoretically you could by a new OEM MERC or SEI aftermarket drive and bolt it in.

I read that transom plate needs changed for this and drive shaft is different size also but I am reading alot and am just learning

 

[matt167]

I read that transom plate needs changed for this and drive shaft is different size also but I am reading alot and am just learning

Just the u joint may be different depending on the year which can be dealt with.Transom assembly went from pin in to bolt in and there are differences there but just the leg itself can be swapped

 

[Scott06]

I read that transom plate needs changed for this and drive shaft is different size also but I am reading alot and am just learning

Exactly as stated above - the later R/MR/Gen one drives will bolt up to the bell housing on a MC1 transom. You also can mix and match upper and lower units amongst them.

It is correct some of the early inline engines with MC-1s used a shorter drive shaft that goes into the coupler. These can easily be swapped at the ujoint.

The transom plate motor mount spacing changed when the MC-1 was replaced by the R drive in 1981or 82... So if you swapped a later transom housing I think you would need to either use a later flywheel cover to match the transom plate or use a MC1 transom plate with the later transom housing.

Wasn't looking to add more confusion only to highlight there are lots of parts interchange if you need to replace parts down the road.