Swapping from long to short yoke- as easy as popping two bearing caps?

[mfelthousen]

I'm replacing the original outdrive assembly on my '77 Mercruiser 120 (MR) with a new SEI 106. Unfortunately I ordered a long yoke model, and didn't catch that mistake until I went to mount the now-assembled drive. Lesson learned...

It's the weekend and tech support is closed until Monday. So, I'm asking a question here to get a sense of what my next step is likely going to be. Aside from the yoke length, are long yoke and short yoke driveshaft parts otherwise interchangeable? In other words, is the fix as 'easy' as pressing out the outermost bearing caps on the u-joint and swap a short yoke on? Or, are there other dimensional differences that would not allow for a yoke swap?

I don't mind getting a joint press to do the work, since I'd end up with a working drive faster. But, I realize that as a warranty matter shipping the entire unit back may be the only option SEI gives me.

Thanks for any insights (or cold reality).

 

[alldodge]

I'm seeing its just the yoke that is different, the 77 120 uses the same U joints the the R/MR does 75832T1

1977 item 36
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30826/1574/60

R/MR item 13
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30870/2203/70

As for warranty that would probably be void with SEI is my guess

 

[mfelthousen]

Thank you- I'm sure you're right about the warranty. I'm just glad that this could be as simple as swapping the old one on, or, buying a new one for about $90. I just looked up the costs and oddly the short yoke is more expensive than the long one.

 

[mfelthousen]

To close this out- SEI sent me a new yoke, and there’s no issue with the warranty. I was happy to see that the new yokes have more material around the bearing caps than the original yoke I had. I could have used the old one, but I have more peace of mind now.