CLE lowerunit

[slowroll]

Are these good lowerunits compared to the sportmaster-torquemasters? I have a bulletbass boat with a modified torquemaster/bobs cone which I need to replace. I've been looking online and noticed the mercury CLE units are alot cheaper than sportmasters, wondering about the pros and cons on the units. I've been running the surface piercing props and would like to stay with the low water pick up type units.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: CLE lowerunit

The later model 4 hole CLE is best CLE model to use but overall the sportmaster is best. The CLE's has some propshaft issues with seals cutting into shaft and best to inspect if buying used as a new replacement shaft can set ya back about $800

 

[Dukedog]

Re: CLE lowerunit

Tha CLE sucks, unless its been coned, (an add on) on a 20 or 21' Bullet compared to your TM. Besides don't think your gonna find a CLE that DOESN"T have fishin' motor guts in it. Tha Sporty is next best thing but here again in a used ya don't really know whats inside.......Its tha one that has a problem with seals wearin' out both prop and drive shafts. There are "speedy sleeves" available for 'em. It also has a problem with buildin' pressure and blowin' out tha shift shaft seal. If you drain about 2 oz. out of after a refill it will help a lot. They is an aftermarket breather type deal thats available that works also......Just be very careful buyin' used.............

 

[slowroll]

Re: CLE lowerunit

Dukedog you mentioned unless its been coned, you mean other than the original cone and water pick up holes? it looks pretty slick, I presume it doesn't have the speed or is it just costly/hard on parts? "wondering"

 

[Dukedog]

Re: CLE lowerunit

Yeah. Tha stock CLE is a little short (hub/bullet length) on some set ups and tends ta blow out at speed so another "cone" is added ta give it a little more length. On some boats/set up it works just fine in a stock form. On tha Bullet it lacks a little in tha "lift" department compared to tha coned TM. Tha "stock" Sporty is a little less efficient than tha TM. With a few mods it will work just as well as tha TM.

If, and thats a stretch, ya got a CLE with CLE guts it will last as long as any of tha other hi perf. stuff. It had some good parts in it for its day. Its just that findin' one of these is like findin' tha "snowball in........." thing.

Just sayin' that buyin' used hi perf. anything is a crap shoot unless ya know who your dealin' with. Most of tha time tha guy sellin' (especially ebay) don't know what it is or in this case WHATS INSIDE! Do your research. Google is your friend..........GL

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sugex...06,d.b2I&fp=7b390c4dfcfadd05&biw=1063&bih=512

Where are ya? Friend here is probably one of tha best in tha country with Merc gearcases........