Bad Growl

[i4110peter]

Haven't posted in a while 'cause I've been having too much fun. This last year while crabbing there has been a very loud growl when the engine is running. So loud that I can't be heard over it. Engine runs great as does out drive.(Mercruiser 165 I/O). Thinking it is the shaft bearing between the out drive and the engine. Last dissasembly, was not able to get at the carriage bearing. Thinking of removing the out drive, running engine to see it noise is still present. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks to all.