Bravo one lower unit need help.

alldodge

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I cannot tell what the ratio is, just list all bravos. Is this a Bravo 1, 2 or 3?
 

thumpar

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Check for a stamp on the drive. My b1 has a stamp in the metal with the ratio.
 

bolo78910

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It is a bravo 2, i just took off the top cover and count 32 teeths on the upper gear. The back plate i notice has a crack that was letting water in. The main upper gears are like new the little needle gears has a little rust. After spraying it up with wd and gear fluid it turns freely. But something is not right with the gear lever thing. The upper housing is like new fresh water use only. So i will scrap and save it for future use. I would realy like to get a brav 3 but the price is crazy right now on use ones. Leaning towards a brav 2. Thanks
 

Fun Times

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Ok thanks much guys i almost bought a bravo one omg thanks. This is the serial number for this drive hope someone can tell me the ratio. OD770681. Dont want to get a drive with the wrong ratio. Thanks again.
Your serial number comes up as an MERC BI-ROTATION BRAVO 2. Gear Ratio says 2.00:2 < the last two should read as a one though. The model number is 5220200ES which makes the year 1992.
 

mr300z87

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I have been following along because I went through this same process a few years ago but my boat should never have had a B2 on it (long story) but anyway I wanted to add something that I discovered. Mine being a very early B2 drive did not have the extra oil passage added between the upper and the lower (non oiler) and is not really compatible with the newer components. my research has told me that Merc made this change as well as other improvements sometime in 1992 so yours could be either. I ended up buying a complete B1 (oiler) drive and have since sold the B2 (it had issue anyway). These changes are explained in Merc Manual 11 or 28 which you should be able to find in the stickies. I also discovered that a 2.0:1 B2 upper is the same gearing as a 1.5:1 B1 upper. Not sure how this plays into B3s. BTW you are in good hands with AD and FT their post have helped me alot over the years.

Mike
 

bolo78910

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Your serial number comes up as an MERC BI-ROTATION BRAVO 2. Gear Ratio says 2.00:2 < the last two should read as a one though. The model number is 5220200ES which makes the year 1992.


Fun time , thanks much ,so if i get a bravo 2drive it must have a 2.00/1.50. Ratio??? Thanks
 

bolo78910

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Jun 25, 2006
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I have been following along because I went through this same process a few years ago but my boat should never have had a B2 on it (long story) but anyway I wanted to add something that I discovered. Mine being a very early B2 drive did not have the extra oil passage added between the upper and the lower (non oiler) and is not really compatible with the newer components. my research has told me that Merc made this change as well as other improvements sometime in 1992 so yours could be either. I ended up buying a complete B1 (oiler) drive and have since sold the B2 (it had issue anyway). These changes are explained in Merc Manual 11 or 28 which you should be able to find in the stickies. I also discovered that a 2.0:1 B2 upper is the same gearing as a 1.5:1 B1 upper. Not sure how this plays into B3s. BTW you are in good hands with AD and FT their post have helped me alot over the years.

Mike

Thanks for the heads up , i will pose some pics of the drive , it has the bottle that feed the drive with gear lube ,is that what u meant ??
 

mr300z87

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No you will need to separate the upper and lower to determine if it is an oiler or non oiler. Here is a photo of an oiler lower i have circled the oil passage.


Older drives do no have this passage and some replacement drives have the boss where the passage is drilled but no passage. My B2 drive was so old it did have the remote oil canister, it had a dip stick in the top cover. Good luck in your search these drives can be really expensive. When my B2 started having issues I thought a replacement drive was going to be as much as I paid for the boat but I lucked out and was able to piece one together for a little over $1000 for a late 90s B1. When I bought the boat and had the drive issues I wished it had an alpha, but knowing what I know now I would only want a boat with a Bravo or Volvo Drive as they are similar in design. In my honest opinion they far superior to the Alpha.
 

bolo78910

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Mr300 i think the pic u post is the same one i have, great info here guys learn a lot . Alldodge thanks am searching now but damm these are hard to find for a reasonable price.,. Am in brooklyn ny. I found a few but in far away state like florida and no one want to ship,even when am paying for the shipping. Still hunting. Thanks guys .
 
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