Should I use VP SX 1.60 or 1.66 ratio? Fuel injection conversion Ford 5.0

[JaredT]

Volvo Penta/OMC SX outdrive

I bought a 1996 Excel 21SX by Wellcraft, it had a bad lower outdrive, so it was inexpensive enough. I searched for a replacement and bought an empty lower unit. Upon further inspection I found that a few other parts were messed up. I decided to look for an entire outdrive.

I found a donor boat that I bought. It is a 1995 Four Winns 195 Sundowner.

My engine was a 5.0 Ford 2 barrel carb @ 190hp.

The donor boat had a 5.0 Ford fuel injected @ 225hp, and a good outdrive.

I removed my engine and installed the fuel injected one in my boat (perfect fit no modification, all wires worked).
My question comes in with the outdrive. The one that is complete has 1.60 ratio, and the original one has 1.66. Is that enough of a difference that it would make any difference?


I now have the engine and outdrive from the donor boat installed into my boat, so I know that they work well together. My question is should I use the 1.66 upper with the good lower or just leave it alone?

My primary purpose for the boat is going to be wakeboarding; top speed is of no value to me. I know the 1.66 would theoretically give me more of a hole shot, my question is does a ~4% drive ratio make much difference?

I know the prop can compensate for differences. I don?t have my prop info with me now, I will add it later.

 

[Don S]

Re: Should I use VP SX 1.60 or 1.66 ratio? Fuel injection conversion Ford 5.0

That little bit of difference won't even be noticable. You will have to change props for the higher HP engine, but you would probably have to do that anyway.
You should post your prop questions over in the prop forum.

 

[JaredT]

Re: Should I use VP SX 1.60 or 1.66 ratio? Fuel injection conversion Ford 5.0

What about this, here are the tags, the OMC/Cobra tag is from the donor boat and it is a 1995. The Volvo Penta is from my boat and is a 1996.

Any appreciable difference there?

View attachment 106896View attachment 106897

 

[JaredT]

Re: Should I use VP SX 1.60 or 1.66 ratio? Fuel injection conversion Ford 5.0

 

[JaredT]

Re: Should I use VP SX 1.60 or 1.66 ratio? Fuel injection conversion Ford 5.0

A second question:

My shifter is the same only the outdrive has changed, and it does not seem to have enough travel. I adjust it to neutral and neutral on the shifter. Then shift into drive and it does not go far enough. I shift into reverse and it does not go far enough. I looked at the shift linkage in the two outdrives and it appears to match. I have taken measurements of every length and angle I can get to and they match.

I am going to try swapping the shifter and cable from the parts boat tonight, but I expect it is just an adjustment...

If that doesn't work will the lower from the OMC work on the Volvo? I could just put my original upper back on and transfer the lower unit to it.

I know it is a lot of questions but I have owned this for a year and finally found the parts boat and am anxious to get it on the water...only 4 weeks of season left up here.

 

[JaredT]

Re: Should I use VP SX 1.60 or 1.66 ratio? Fuel injection conversion Ford 5.0

well I fixed the shifter issue, I just moved the Remote end to the front mounting point and the end connected the the lower hole on the upper arm. Now it shifts just fine.