dp-c shafts and gears still available?

[brunolund]

I’m just wondering if these parts are still available new? or have they been discontinued and have to find good used ones? I am having trouble finding anywhere that lists them. I’ve found part numbers, but haven’t been able to find the actual parts for sale. hope that makes sense. don’t actually need them yet, just learning and looking.

 

[Scott Danforth]

There are places in Europe that may have parts. The drives can be rebuilt, however you may be best to find a clean low hour freshwater drive as a spare

 

[brunolund]

the boat i bought actually came with a “spare” lower unit, although i’m assuming the internals are trash, as the tapered bearing on the pinion shaft if shot. I haven’t taken it apart yet, but that’s why i was looking around for parts.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Look for a manual AND all the specialty tools before worrying about parts

 

[brunolund]

to add another question then, if parts are non-existent, or might as well be, what is the preferred option for a new drive? is there something newer that is available that will bolt up without having to change the transom?

 

[Scott Danforth]

No, not new but you can get rebuilt drives for a fair amount of money

There used to be a conversion transom shield kit about 25-30 years ago that was available to swap to a new SX or Mercruiser drive, but that kit was only available for a really short time, and really pricey. the last I saw, one of the castings alone was about $1500.

 

[brunolund]

well, i’ll try out the DP, and when (if) it fails, i’ll switch to a mercruiser and a 350. always been interested in doing that from a 4.3.

 

[Scott Danforth]

With proper maintenance the DP drive is bulletproof

 

[muc]

well, i’ll try out the DP, and when (if) it fails, i’ll switch to a mercruiser and a 350. always been interested in doing that from a 4.3.

As @Scott Danforth mentioned, the hole in your transom won't work for anything else without fiberglass work.

 

[brunolund]

As @Scott Danforth mentioned, the hole in your transom won't work for anything else without fiberglass work.

unfortunately i’m aware, and this boat is aluminum. i’ve replaced the wood on this same model once before, as a complete rebuild. I’d be able to weld in a new piece of aluminum and cut out the mercruiser hole, if it comes to that. i’m just debating what point that will be. the boat is 32 years old, so it’s not far off of needing new foam and flooring, so i’d probably do the switch then. but currently i believe the transom is solid, so i’ll try it out as is and see how it goes. i’m just thinking ahead, as when i bought this boat, it was apparently in good working order, except the idle was rough. it had old gas so cleaned the carb and fresh gas. just haven’t had time to run it again yet to test it.