lower unit on 260 merc

[paul]

Looks like I will need a new out drive upper and lower on my mec cruiser 260. Any suggestions, after market, rebuild - suppliers - price, further the gimble may be waring and the option of guide type shocks is a question???? Looking for thoughts

[macojoe]

Tear it all out!!! And go bracket young man!!!

Rebuilt drive will be $1,500 Been there done that!!

New trim cylinders about $250 each!!

Gimbal berring $40

So you are looking at all of $2000 for the parts and trhen the labore to get it all toghter unless you no how to do it all??

And if you are going to do the gimbal you might as well change the bellows hose also, Its a bit$h to get to so might as well get it!

If the drive you buy does not come with a new yoke and u joints better get them while you are at it!!

you can get a whole kit for like $150 with bewrring and hose's

Good Luck!! Here is a site that you can get most of what you want as far as parts goes.

GO BRACKET YOUNG MAN!!!!!!!

http://sterndrive.info.hosting.domaindirect.com/sterndriveparts/index.html

[bluedog]

Bracket and new outboard why not stop there, how about a new car and a bigger house! Mj enough about going bracket. Might also want to check sterndrives.com

[chumbucket]

;DI just told MJ on the phone, someone was going to jump on him for sounding like a broken record. ;D

[macojoe]

GO BRACKET YOUNG MAN!!!!

[bluedog]

O.K. O.K. mj we understand your take on I/O vs. outboard bracket. But here's a question can your re-power with a larger set up new for less cost than going your route new?

[Seacrets]

I agree. I believe MJ removed a 4 cyl. from his boat, however you have a 260 hp/350 c.i engine that is probably better on fuel than an 1989 175 hp yamaha and still have a full transom. There are plenty of used and reconditioned Mercruiser parts available. I've owned two V-20's and I left the engines just where Wellcraft originally put them. Just one guy's opinion. It's personal preference. One thing MJ, you're comparing new Mercruiser parts, however your project was done using used or reconditioned parts.

[macojoe]

First off I don't expect anyone to remove a perfectly good motor and put a bracket!!

Yes I repowered with used as this is what I could afford!!

As with anyone they will do what is within there means.
I had a 6cyl that had many hours on it and needed all kinds of work as all I/O. And when I had my I/O I replaced with all new or rebuilt parts that everyone shoud do!! Those prices are real prices for parts I had bought and I also could not do all the work my self! And spent thousands keeping that I/O going.

So before I saw someone else going thur thousands trying to fix what they have to have nothing better then the same old I/O, I offered a better way!

IMO I made a huge mistake in switching to I/O in the first place!! But have now fixed that problem.
As for fuel I use no more now then when I had a 6 cyl I/O and there is no comparrsion to performance, The Yamaha out performs the I/O hands down!!

I just offer this option to all those with open minds!!
and sometimes just joking around.

But if you guys don't want to hear it then I will not say it anymore.

But for those who might want to do it or just want to no how it was done I will be more then happy to tell you all about it.

The rest of you guys can Choke on your I/O's :o

[Seacrets]

Both of mine were outboards.

[bluedog]

Still would like to see the what would be more cost effective never priced them but lets say a new 5.0w/outdrive vs. a new merc 150 hp w/ bracket both installed by dealer at 75$ hr. If these 2 motors are not close in preformance add in a closer match.

[Seakindly]

Good question, Bluedog ... but when you say more cost effective ... how far do you mean -- up to the initial installation or how far down the road factoring in longevity, maintanence and operating costs?

And of course, cost is just one consideration in the eternal outboard vs. i/o debate. ::)

[macojoe]

Well OB may be more to buy, but you will have less in the way of maintance in the long run. And you can install your self. Gas if powered right will be very close to a I/O. And my OB is quiter then my I/O ever was.

I/O will cost less to repower, but you will spend much more time and money getting it installed!! Over time there is alot more maintance to a I/O then there is to OB!!

But OB is more $$ out of pocket to get started.

IMO I think that if you were able to take two boats and give them the same amount of use you will find that over time they are pretty equal!!
The only difference is,( and I belive important) is a outboard will have less break downs with less maintance, and you can just hang the motor of choice on the back when ready.

[bigshrimpin]

Everytime I read MJ's Moto . . . I get images of him doing the YMCA dance on his boat.

[chumbucket]

Ahh yes. Leather chaps, biker jacket with no shirt. mmmmmmmmm...........Now there's an image. ;D

[macojoe]

YMCA Young man can you say leather!! da da da da!! becareful what you ask for!! *;D
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v131/macojoe/ymca.jpg

[chumbucket]

Now that...........is disturbing!!!!!!!! ;D

[Mac_Attack]

Ohhhhhh my! We must be careful around MJ.

[macojoe]

;D :-*

[bigshrimpin]

Alright guys while I think it still pretty funny, some folks might find the soap on a rope jokes and pics of MJ topless terifiying. You guys have some experience with I/O's (MJ) don't you have any I/O advice for "purty mouth" Paul beside "bolt on a bracket . . . . or else squeel like a pig"