4.3l Merc I/o grinding

[JoeFo86]

So I got a 1998 4.3l io put in water started grinding as soon as I gave it any gas. Sooo I changed oil it was grey and had large flakes of metal. Under the advice of my friend who owned boats ...
I purchased a used sterndrive alpha 1 gen 2 same as current. Except the ratio is different 1.98 rather than 1.81.
Now to my question
Can I just steal the lower off the one I bought and use it on the currently one.

 

[Alumarine]

Your old lower will have debris in it which will contaminate the upper.
You'll be fine running the 1.98
Might have to go up a size in props to keep it in the proper WOT range.
For example from a 21 to 23.

 

[JoeFo86]

Your old lower will have debris in it which will contaminate the upper.
You'll be fine running the 1.98
Might have to go up a size in props to keep it in the proper WOT range.

Thank you!

 

[JoeFo86]

Your old lower will have debris in it which will contaminate the upper.
You'll be fine running the 1.98
Might have to go up a size in props to keep it in the proper WOT range.
For example from a 21 to 23.

Do I need to change any bearings or anything or just take old outdrive off and put new one in

 

[Alumarine]

Do I need to change any bearings or anything or just take old outdrive off and put new one in

Check the gimbal bearing and align the gimbal bearing.
Check or replace the bellows.
If those drives have impeller water pumps change it too.