1966? Evinrude Big Twin 40 help

[AMSRocker]

I'll be getting a 1966? Evinrude Big Twin 40 HP very soon. The BT40 is a long shaft. I want to convert it into a short shaft. It looks like Evinrude/Johnson made the powerheads the same and the difference was just a bolt on operation.
So my questions are these:

1 - It looks like the long shaft has a spacer. Can I just unbolt that spacer from the lower unit making the only difference the driveshaft?

2 - If #1 is correct and I can unbolt that extension from the lower unit then what is the correct Evinrude factory part number for a short driveshaft?

3 - What is the length of the short driveshaft in inches?

Thanks guys!

 

[F_R]

Depends if it is a factory long shaft, or converted in the field. Factory LS will have a 5" longer shift rod, converted will have a longer shift rod connector. Longer water tubes can simply be cut off 5" shorter.

Yes a short drive shaft is required for sure.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I've done small outboards and none that old. For me it's usually the shift rod and drive shaft. But the one thing I've found is those are not available new. Not sure on yours. You should try to find a short shaft parts engine if you can.

 

[matt167]

Just trade for a short shaft. Majority of those motors were short shaft. You will have more into it than it’s worth swapping

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Depending on your model number, and you must know this I guess, shafts are available but pricey. Like matt167 says, not sure why anyone would want to other than some kind of sentential reason.

 

[AMSRocker]

Just trade for a short shaft. Majority of those motors were short shaft. You will have more into it than it’s worth swapping

The nice thing is that I'm getting this 40 for free. So I'm starting money ahead.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

The nice thing is that I'm getting this 40 for free. So I'm starting money ahead.

When it comes to boating sometimes getting something for free is too much!

 

[racerone]

Lots of short shaft parts can be found.-----Try E-Bay----evinrudeparts.ca-----Should be easy to find.

 

[matt167]

The nice thing is that I'm getting this 40 for free. So I'm starting money ahead.

I sold a running big twin 40 short shaft for $250 and nobody was beating my door down to get it.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I sold a running big twin 40 short shaft for $250 and nobody was beating my door down to get it.

Near my house. Craigslist is cheaper than eBay if you can find one.

Evinrude 40 Big Twin Outboard Motor - boat parts - by owner - marine...

Complete Evinrude 40 Big Twin Outboard Motor. Good cover, prop, and mount. Appears to be complete. Sold for parts or repair. Asking $200 obo. Use text or email reply as cell service is sketchy. Will...

portland.craigslist.org

 

[airshot]

The nice thing is that I'm getting this 40 for free. So I'm starting money ahead.

There is a saying among the boating industry, " the most expensive boat you will ever own is the one you got for free".....in most cases this proves to be true !!!