OMC drive question???

[water_rat03]

I have a chance to pick up a boat for next to nothing. Here is the problem with it.
The shift cable broke. The owner removed the drive and started to replace the shift cable. Found out how much a new cable cost so he put the boat in the garage for storage. Over the years he moved, and now he thinks he lost some parts. He is not sure what all parts might be lost, he has 3 boxes of parts laying in the boat.
The boat is a 1985 with a 170 hp OMC, not electric shift.
I have an outdrive off of another boat, not sure what it is exactly. It is from somewhere between 1972 and 1975, 6 cylinder OMC.
Will any of the parts off the upper gear case fit the 1985 drive? Will the entire upper gear case fit?
I have read that 1985 had a manual or hydraulic assisted shift and the older drive has an electric shift.
In short my question is, what is the difference between a 1985 stringer drive and a mid 70's stringer drive?

Thanks for the info!

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: OMC drive question???

Will any of the parts off the upper gear case fit the 1985 drive? /Will the entire upper gear case fit?

probably not- all 1972 and most 73-75 drives were high profile - so the old upper will most likely be 4" taller from ball gear to water pump
if it is low profile, it might "fit", but will likely have a different gear ratio

all 1972 and some 73-75 drives lacked trucourse steering parts in the upper
all 1985 intermediates use the trucourse system

with all these compounding issues - I give you a less than 5% chance of being able to piece the parts together and make a complete boat out of what you have

I have read that 1985 had a manual or hydraulic assisted shift

1985 = full mechanical shift - no hydraulic assist

and the older drive has an electric shift.

1964-1977 all electric shift

 

[water_rat03]

Re: OMC drive question???

Thanks for the reply. That sounds like the information I was looking for.

I am not sure what parts might or might not be missing. He said a boat mechanic he knew helped him take it apart to replace the shift cable, then he moved, so who knows.
Thanks again, as always, great information on here!