Re: OMC Stern drives, interchangeable?
I *think* those OMC hulls all used High Profile drives. So you are kinda stuck with the early 1964 through 1977 electric shift units. From 64-77 there were both high and low profile stringers. Why anyone wants the engine and drive raised in the boat I don't know....but they did it
After 78 all 400 and 800 stringers, were ALL low profile.
Although they will mount to your intermediate, and the ball gears will mesh and all that, the prop wont be deep enough in the water to plane.
I converted my 1967 boat from High profile to Low profile, and installed a 1983 engine and drive. But I don't think the OMC hull has room like mine did. I had to cut the transom hole 4" lower, and do a real sleuth job of stealing a piece of the upper fiberglas and wood transom and relocating it....hid the fiberglass work with a piece of alum checkplate...no one could ever tell what I did.
It worked out really well on mine. Another inch and I could not have done it.
My hole is right at the level of the bilge floor in the bottom Vee of the transom.
