Not sure I would take a 200 mile trip without seeing at least a few photos of what I was buying. That said, If you post a pic it will be easy enough to tell what you are picking up.
These are certainly good quality and dependable outboards "IF" they are taken care of throughout their lifetime. Like anything purchased used...it's always a crap shoot! You can come across outboards that were pampered and those that have lived a very rough life. That said, you could come across one that will last you another 50 years, or one that you'll end up breaking down immediately and selling for parts to try to get your money back!
Like the other poster stated, this outboard left the factory as a short shaft. However, that doesn't mean that within 40+ years that it wasn't modified to become a long shaft. Pics will reveal that.
On another note...if you do end up with a long shaft accidentally...I might be interested in the drive shaft from it.
I've included a pic of my '76 factory long shaft (without a lower unit). Notice the extended area below the lower mount on the exhaust housing? That 6" section below the mount makes it a long shaft. A factory short shaft will have about a 1" section/band below that lower mount, instead of the 6" section. Furthermore, a modified long shaft will have an added 5" spacer added to it to make it resemble mine. It will be a pretty obvious modification, but again, pictures will reveal this immediately.
I wouldn't necessarily shy away from buying a short shaft that was modified. Even though you may have to buy a few parts to turn it back into a shorty, you can always sell the long shaft parts (to offset costs). You will also have the parts to use it on other boats...OR...you can always sell it as a "both" engine. Modified shorties are (IMO), better than a factory long shaft for that reason, but I'm sure that is up for debate.
Good luck with the purchase!
