[Geekie1]

Early Yamahas (115, 130, 150, 175, 200) from 1984 up to 1993 had steel shift shafts and if used in salt water would corrode and break. The shafts run vertically from the power head down to the lower unit. The 1994 shift shafts were stainless steel and will not corrode in salt water. (Hence "Saltwater Series") On the 150, 175, 200, the early steel shift shafts were replaceable with the 1994 stainless steel shift shafts. A new stainless steel shaft will cost about $70 but to replace them is a real PITA!! It requires pulling the power head. (Broken bolts!!!) Also, the leg length (20" vs 25") is the difference in part #'s and not the horsepower. The part #'s for 150, 175, and 200 are as follows:

20" - Stainless Steel - 6E5-44120-03-00 (1994 PN)
25" - Stainless Steel - 6E5-44120-23-00 (1994 PN)


You will know if you have a steel shift shaft if:

1. - It becomes difficult to shift because the shaft becomes thin from corrosion and torques (twists) making it hard to get in gear.

2. - It breaks, no shift.

3. - When you pull the lower unit to do a water pump rebuild and discover a pile of loose corrosion laying on top of the lower unit male shift spline that the corroded female shift shaft goes into. Sounds kinda perverted but I just guess thats just me!!!

4. - I don't know of a definite way to determine if the shaft is steel or stainless steel by looking at it at the lever end at the power head. It looks the same to me. I discovered my steel shaft by item 3 above.

I hope this helps!!