Adapting a Bravo lower to an outboard?????

[Raceman]

One of the threads below about the sterndrive gearcase has me thinkin'. First of all, I'm changing one of the STV's to rotate the powerhead backwards to run a late style SSM. I remember that my friend who taught service school at Merc said it was fine to shift a Bravo into reverse and change the blade, and run it at full throttle to test a dual engine boat, to see which way the props need to rotate for optimum set up, without having to change the gearcases from one side of the boat to the other. (outside or inside rotations on multi engines) If this is true, and the Bravo lower will stand being rotated in either direction at wide open throttle (all Bravos shift in the upper), why couldn't a Bravo case be adapted to run on a L rotation powerhead if shiftability or neutral wasn't an issue?

[Greg Moss]

The biggest problem would be around the drive shaft the oil feed the top half around the drive shaft you would have to make a piece to hold the oil and to be able to mount the water pump. Then you have to make a drive shaft. Then you have to make an adapter to mount the drive to the exhaust housing. other than that piece of cake:D

[LakeRacer99]

I have pondered that before. Doesn't somebody make a Bravo case that the X dimension is 3 inches shorter? That would be bad bolted up to a Champ mid. Talk about a short motor.

With all the broken driveshafts and spun carriers, I am surprised there is no aftermartket demand for gearcases. I am a simple mind, but I think a shiftable case, maybe with the bullet size inbetween a speedmaster and a hog sportmaster, would be ideal for lightweight speedsters.

[Raceman]

Greg, I'm missin' something on the oil around the driveshaft. I'm aware that Bravo's swap oil between the upper and lower, but I thought there was just a hole that could be blocked. I've got both early and late Bravo's, but have never had the lower off the second design. I know the early ones like came on my 89 Pachanga had such a passage hole, and it's not compatible with the newer style. I had forgotten all about the Bravo not having an internal waterpump even though I just changed the impeller on mine in the fall. Of course I knew there'd be a driveshaft issue, but I've got a guy that does em for me all the time.

Any suggestions on a better alternative? I'll bet theres some way to stick some Bravo guts in a sportmaster with a little
'mo-chine work.

[Greg Moss]

Imco makes 2 different X dimensions they are 1 and 2 " shorter. I don't really know if the Brave would work very well on an outboard they don't shift and the speed masters are smaller and lighter. I have heard of some body talking about after market housings with cones already on them. Cann't remember if it was Wayne Taylor or not the tooling cost would be high to do those on a limited number.

[Raceman]

LR99, there are definately shorter Bravo's available. Imco does em with one piece CLE type housings if my memory serves.

[Greg Moss]

the later Broavo's have the oil around the drive shaft. The uppper driveshaft bearing retainer has a space around the shaft 1/8" and that is how the oil gets to the upper half. The original ones had a hole next to the water passage that had a o-ring seal that would blow and fill the lower with water. They change to the new style and stopped that problem but if you were to try to make a lower fit an outboard you would have to figure how to hold that retainer in because the upper holds it in when the unit is bolted together.

[Brad Zastrow]

I am having a hard time understanding the logic of a Bravo on a O/B? SSM case or a Bravo???? Just a little bit of difference there. SSM and a short mid and the motor is really low. In fact the new improved BravoXR is using the O/B Sportmaster style housing as an option for fast boats. Why shorten a case on a O/B when you can raise the motor? X dimension on a I/O is a bitch to change which is why IMCO makes shorter Bravos.

[BarryStrawn]

If the objective is to spend lots of money for something unique, why not go whole hog and adapt a dry sump #6 from the offshore drive.

[Capt.Insane-o]

Yea yea. The water pump and retaining the upper bearing are the big set backs.