Re: Best years for OMC 10 horse?

[Don]

quote lindy46:

Been working on a 1962 QD23 and as I’ve seen in this post, a lot of wear on the lower housing bushing and lower part of the driveshaft where it passes through the bushing. The gears were all shot. So I’ve replaced the gears (forward, reverse and pinion) with new ones, a new clutch dog and new seals. I’m wondering if the wear to the housing bushing and driveshaft will damage my new gears? The shaft turns freely in the bushing, but for all the money I have invested, I don’t want to ruin what I’ve done. Should I look for another gear housing and driveshaft? Looks like a housing from a 5.5hp/7.5hp will work – maybe would have less wear than another old 10hp.

Well, excessive lower bushing/driveshaft wear will certainly cause premature wear/possible failure to the gears….The question is just how much are the parts worn? Were you able to wobble the driveshaft in the lower bushing? If so, probably worn too much. Sounds like you spent some money on new gears and clutch dog, you sure don’t want to ruin those new parts. It would be one thing if you pulled the gearcase apart, found some wear, but resealed and reused the old parts. But, you have invested in expensive new parts, and you mentioned that old gears were ruined…
Unfortunately, good driveshafts for these engines are hard to find, most used ones are worn just like yours. Replacement gearcase housings aren’t too tough to find because 9.5hp housings will work, but their driveshafts are too short for the 10hps…