68 OMC Ball Gears

[crazyinkc]

I am looking at an old 68 IMP boat and the ball gears look pretty worn. I have been looking for the pre 73 gear every where, even NAPA with no luck. Is there a way to use post 73 parts to switch the the later style gears? Can I just change to later shafts?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 68 OMC Ball Gears

If you have Any sense,.... At All,.....

You'll Keep Looking....... For a Different Boat.......

Those Ballgears will be the Least of Your Problems.......

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 68 OMC Ball Gears

Call Steve at Ryans Marine in Portland Or. He will know if they are still available or interchangeable. He is a great OMC resource. People send him OMC drives from all over the country.

503 282 8807

Tell him Gyro Gearloose told you to call.

 

[crazyinkc]

Re: 68 OMC Ball Gears

Thanks guys for the feedback. I did call Steve and he was very helpful. The ball gears are worn flat on one side but only about 10% in. Steve said as long as they are wearing flat and even, I should be okay for awhile. I only plan on running the boat for a few years and stepping up to a better boat. The boat is owned by a marinas owner and he has had the boat for years and it is in nice shape. He told me the same thing, just run with it but I wanted to get feedback from the guys here on the forum. Sorry Bond-O, I had already put a deposit on it so I guess I will go ahead and take the dive but thanks for the suggestion. If it turns out to be a pile of junk, which I doubt due to the overall condition, I will part it out and recoup my money.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: 68 OMC Ball Gears

Thanks guys for the feedback. I did call Steve and he was very helpful. The ball gears are worn flat on one side but only about 10% in. Steve said as long as they are wearing flat and even, I should be okay for awhile. I only plan on running the boat for a few years and stepping up to a better boat. The boat is owned by a marinas owner and he has had the boat for years and it is in nice shape. He told me the same thing, just run with it but I wanted to get feedback from the guys here on the forum. Sorry Bond-O, I had already put a deposit on it so I guess I will go ahead and take the dive but thanks for the suggestion. If it turns out to be a pile of junk, which I doubt due to the overall condition, I will part it out and recoup my money.

Just be sure to run with the drive all the way down. The O/D tilt is not a trim unit.