sheuninck wrote:
sure, no shifting and changing lube very frequently is a major life extender, but they are the weakest part of the motor. every OMC X-class boat blew their gearcase at topo one year as the thundercats are particularly hard on gearcases. I have never seen a merc gearcase fail with the except of them rattling loose and falling off. saw that twice. just though i would share with hope to see someone local try it.
I will watch his project for sure. SST60 gear cases running on tunnels do have a MUCH shorter life. With the X class limit at 950 cc. The mod Mercury 59 cu. in. motor is not in that class. It will be interesting to see if the 650 gear case can handle the 100 plus horsepower of the OMC X motors. The 1:64 Mercury gear case really improves the handling of a T boat and to run it in combo with a mod 56'r. It has to be a plus 80 mph T boat. Likely good on the SLT as well.
I wonder if it would be easier to mount the mod 56'r on a 650XS mid using a Kevi base plate and a 90's 40 hp Mariner cowl and pan which as the shift assembly mounted on the pan. Now you have an 80 mph boat with what appears to be a 40 hp motor. Not something you want your teenager running.
