Gearcase back fit

bhive

Cadet
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
24
I am looking to buy a 1989 140 Evinrude Mod # CE140TLCEB with no gear case. is it posible to use a lower unit of of a early to mid 80's 140 hp modle ?
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Gearcase back fit

The motor you're looking at is a 90*, 20" V4 looper, nice motor. Any 20" V4 looper gearcase will work from any year. There are 2 styles on a V4 looper. One is the standard case with a 4 1/8" bullet with a 2:1 gear ratio. This case uses props in the 13 to 14" range.

The second is a case with a 4 5/8" bullet and a 2.27:1 gear ratio. This is commonly refered to as a V6 gearcase but it isn't. It is the same size as the V6 but a different ratio. But it uses V6 props in the 13 3/4" & up range. Most, but not all, of these were on 25" motors.

You can also use any V4 crossflow gearcase from 1979 & newer. You'll need a 90* V4 looper shift shaft.

You can also use any V6 gearcase, crossflow or looper, from 1979 & newer. The gear ratio will be different so you'll have to prop accordingly. The gear ratio is 1.85:1. Naturally a V6 style prop will be needed. Again you'll need the 90* V4 looper shift shaft.

I don't know why anyone would do this but it's possible -- any V8 gearcase will bolt up. That ratio is 1.75:1 and will use a V6 style prop.
 

bhive

Cadet
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
24
Re: Gearcase back fit

Dhadley said:
The motor you're looking at is a 90*, 20" V4 looper, nice motor. Any 20" V4 looper gearcase will work from any year. There are 2 styles on a V4 looper. One is the standard case with a 4 1/8" bullet with a 2:1 gear ratio. This case uses props in the 13 to 14" range.

The second is a case with a 4 5/8" bullet and a 2.27:1 gear ratio. This is commonly refered to as a V6 gearcase but it isn't. It is the same size as the V6 but a different ratio. But it uses V6 props in the 13 3/4" & up range. Most, but not all, of these were on 25" motors.

You can also use any V4 crossflow gearcase from 1979 & newer. You'll need a 90* V4 looper shift shaft.

You can also use any V6 gearcase, crossflow or looper, from 1979 & newer. The gear ratio will be different so you'll have to prop accordingly. The gear ratio is 1.85:1. Naturally a V6 style prop will be needed. Again you'll need the 90* V4 looper shift shaft.

I don't know why anyone would do this but it's possible -- any V8 gearcase will bolt up. That ratio is 1.75:1 and will use a V6 style prop.
 

bhive

Cadet
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
24
Re: Gearcase back fit

Thank you for the help . I wasn't sure if it was posible.
 

mankato

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Joined
Oct 15, 2006
Messages
18
Re: Gearcase back fit

Bhive - I have a 94 v-4 looper and when the original lower unit went, I found a lower off a 96 100hp commercial v-4 in good shape for $400. I installed new seals, pressure tested it and It bolted right up. But my original shiftshaft didn't fit (too short) and neither did the 96 commercial shiftshaft (wrong offset). I had to take the commercial shiftshaft (right length) and have the offset angle re-bent to match the offset on my orginal shiftshaft.

I think my gear ratio went from 2:1 to 1.85:1, but I had to re-prop anyway for the larger style gearcase, so it wasn't a huge deal. Feels good and strong and seems to get on plane much quicker than before, but I think I owe that to having the correct prop this time around.
 

bhive

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Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
24
Re: Gearcase back fit

Way to adapt and modify to the situation at hand. I got the motor for $500.00 My friend has a 86 140 with a stuck piston that i can pickup for $200.00. I think it's a good deal.
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Gearcase back fit

There ya go. As long as the 86 has a 20" driveshaft, it'll bolt right up. Nice find...
 

bhive

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Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
24
Re: Gearcase back fit

I have found that the drive shaft part numbers are different for different years. Are there different splines for the drive shaft or were they all the same and just had different part numbers. I don't want to buy a used gear housing and the splines be wrong.
 

Dhadley

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Feb 4, 2001
Messages
16,978
Re: Gearcase back fit

All V4, V6 and V8 driveshaft splines are the same from 1973 and newer.
 

bhive

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Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
24
Re: Gearcase back fit

thanks for the help, this has got to be the best boating forum that i have found.
 
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