wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

delsol

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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May 27, 2002
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hi i poted this before i got a dealer who was to check and advise me before install the drive.. its and 1.84-1 drive i think from a 4 cly . i have an 89 merc . it needs 1.5-1 drive. i am ready for my water test today to check motor if all goes right. i will change drive soon. does any one know what i can expect. i am running my only prp for now a 23" pitch ss...i had tons of problems and i took don s advise and fixed it them 1 at a time and now ready to change the drive soon. still need sending unit for gas tank and a bunch of small stuff . but i made good progress. any advise would be great
bob
 

Haut Medoc

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350


Glad to see you are making progress.....
You won't hurt anything with that drive on it, just don't over-rev it.....;)
 

delsol

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

haut you don s bonda have been a great help..what should i keep the rpms under..the motor if a fresh rebuild also and no hours on it just water muffs
thanks bob
 

delsol

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

thank you
 

DHPMARINE

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

Not too sure about crossing ratios,but can tell you about what we've seen.Had a 4.3 Mercruiser with 0 compression on # 1.Sent engine out for rebuild.Later in the season no compression # 1 again.Rebuild company made good and covered the 2nd rebuild.Next season ... yep no compression # 1.

While one of our mechanics was talking to Merc Tech,I noticed the outdrive was a 1.50 ratio.Merc Tech said that's the problem.They explained that the boat ran good for several years,but as gasoline changed,the load became more and more on the engine.

We re-geared the drive,and last I knew the 4.3 was fine after 4 seasons.

Just passing along what I've seen.

DHP
 

delsol

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May 27, 2002
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749
Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

thank you DHP, this is just a temp fix as the dealer was told to check and advise and i wanted to get me the write drive, so i will take it real easy or the boat make sure it wirks well. then change gears or the drive. one of our fellow members lives about 2 hours or so away he said he could help with the fears they are between 2-$300 denping where you but them. i will report back after running today to say about the over or under reving..to tell me about that engine is a blessing. thank you as this motor is a pain to work on a glasyron css 19' w/ rear wing...
bob
 

Don S

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

Just remember one thing when changing gears. You MUST reshim the gears to the housing. If you don't, they won't last very long.
It also takes a lot of expensive special tools to do the job. Click here for the UPPER and have a read at the process required to replace the gears (and bearings) in the lower.
 

SuperNova

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

Weel, Don I can only say one thing in response to your post. Since when, exactly, were the drive gears that control the actual gear ratio of the outdrive contained in the lower gearcase?????. I usually appreciate your informed input, but sometimes you make me wonder. Have you actually ever changed the ratio of an outdrive, or do you just replace the entire assembly?? I've done several gear changes for various reasons and have been able to do the job with basic hand tools, a dial indicator and a shop press. I also have found in EVERY instance that the shims that were origially set up in the gearcase have been the correct set up on subsequent gearsets and have never had to change the shim package yet, even though I invested in a complete selection of shims before I did my very first gear change.
--
Stan

P.S. Anybody want to buy a complete shim kit for alpha one gen one upper gears?
 

delsol

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May 27, 2002
Messages
749
Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

don its the upper gears that need changing right....i am off for my first test spin..all you guys are really helpfull and i am very thankful
bob/p
 

Don S

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

Weel, Don I can only say one thing in response to your post. Since when, exactly, were the drive gears that control the actual gear ratio of the outdrive contained in the lower gearcase?????. I usually appreciate your informed input, but sometimes you make me wonder. Have you actually ever changed the ratio of an outdrive, or do you just replace the entire assembly?? I've done several gear changes for various reasons and have been able to do the job with basic hand tools, a dial indicator and a shop press. I also have found in EVERY instance that the shims that were origially set up in the gearcase have been the correct set up on subsequent gearsets and have never had to change the shim package yet, even though I invested in a complete selection of shims before I did my very first gear change.
--
Stan

P.S. Anybody want to buy a complete shim kit for alpha one gen one upper gears?


Yea, I was thinking Volvo and talking Merc. Yes, it's in the upper, not the lower.
Every time I have replaced gears in either the upper or lower I've had to reshim them. The backlash may be ok, but what about gear position. That is the reason for the special tools, so the gears hit in the proper location.
 

SuperNova

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Re: wrong drive install any advice wrong gearing 1.84-1 on v-8 350

I figured it had to be some kind of brain fart. I guess I've just been lucky so far then with the shims. I usually check backlash, gear position and then make sure of the contact pattern with some blue dye paste before I call it done. Good to see you can take some ribbing without getting all worked up.:D
--
Stan
 
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