Merc 470 Coupler/Drive shaft orientation

[ErieRon]

I have a 1984 Merc 470 S.N. 6701134 with an Alpha 1 drive.

Sterndrive S.N. 06753035

Outdrive S.N. OF161976

Question: Looking down in the engine compartment at the drive shaft, should I be able to see an O-ring on the shaft, in it's groove, but apparently not doing anything? In other words, outside the transom assembly. There are two O-rings on the drive shaft and this would be the inner (nearest the engine).

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 470 Coupler/Drive shaft orientation

It's not a big deal. You have a newer drive (obviously a replacement) and the newer splined shafts have a third oring groove for newer years of couplers with a longer tube and a grease zirk.
That drive also has the wrong gear ratio. It's a 1.50:1, used for V8 engines.

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Merc 470 Coupler/Drive shaft orientation

It's not a big deal. You have a newer drive (obviously a replacement) and the newer splined shafts have a third oring groove for newer years of couplers with a longer tube and a grease zirk.
That drive also has the wrong gear ratio. It's a 1.50:1, used for V8 engines.

Thank you very much Don. I posted 08/02 (470 shifting problem) and noticed that O-ring, so I didn't do what you suggested then. I'll do it today though and post a follow up.

Ron

 

[ErieRon]

DON...Re: Merc 470 Coupler/Drive shaft orientation

DON...Re: Merc 470 Coupler/Drive shaft orientation

It's not a big deal. You have a newer drive (obviously a replacement) and the newer splined shafts have a third oring groove for newer years of couplers with a longer tube and a grease zirk.
That drive also has the wrong gear ratio. It's a 1.50:1, used for V8 engines.

Re. Gear ratio; This is my third outdrive (stolen twice). I see in my original manual the gear ratio is 1.84:1. It was replaced (as new) by a certified Mercury Marine repair facility in 2002.

The current S.N. is OA706258 and it has "1.62R" written on the side of it. I think I gave you the previous S.N. in my original post...sorry.

What are the ramifications of the incorrect gear ratio...considering my current problem of not being able to shift forward or reverse?

Thanks in advance.

Ron