1988 V20 steplift/305 chevy, mercruiser drive.

[brisboats]

Forgot to add 1988 puts you square in alpha one generation one category but you never know what someone may have bolted on over the years. External clues are the flat top on the upper gearcase, and a squared off cavitation plate on the lower versus a rounded one. Funky drives are the lowers from 83-somewhere in 85 they will have the newer case with a square cav plate but the earlier internals, smaller shaft and a preload pin. Like Spare said you really won't know what you have until you open it up. Count your teeth in the upper gearset I have seen some 5.0 come with 1:5:1 ratios too.

Brian

[UBHSTRY]

Ok thanks guys. I am going to take a real close look when I pull the boat back in to drop this engine in.

[UBHSTRY]

I must say I appriciate the help. Most boards call the newbee nasty names when they are doing something a little different.

By the looks of things, I will for sure need to do something with this outdrive. I surmise it may not last long.