Help me out fellas need 15" drive shaft measurment

[Cervelo777]

Does any one have a lower unit for a 15" mid mercury 2.5 laying around that you could take a measurment of the drive shaft from the waterpump to the end of the splines end of the drive shaft.

[ChrisCarsonMarine]

17 1/16 from TOP of keyway,for a stock 15 in mid.I cut and respline shafts,and add 1/8 if the motor will be run with a racing cowling...to make up for the thickness of the extra thick gaskets and cowl plate,Chris

[speedinstream]

Exactly 5" shorter than a 20" if u still have it

[Cervelo777]

Thanks Chris! I have the water pump installed so I can't see the key way. If I butt the top of the water pump the measurement on mine is 16 9/16". Does that seem right to you? Maybe I am getting hung up on a bolt, or peg or one of the 10 other things that need to line up. The shift shaft was not even touching when I felt like I wanted to start hitting with a sledge hammer.

[ChrisCarsonMarine]

Spend the 3 minutes and remove the pump housing...
as to the lower not going all the way up the seal on the bottom of the crank may have fallen out and now be blocking the shaft from entering the crank,Chris

[Cervelo777]

Chris,

Thank you for so much for all your advice and "know how" I had my brother help and it just took a little jiggle and an extra two hands to help get the shift shaft to slide in.

When this motor is ready, I am sending it to you to rebuild.

[redstv169]

Dam Whit, Hope that rebuild doesn't come to soon so you can get some time and enjoyment out of her before winter. Next time I'm home I should get her replacement finished rigged and maybe even get it wet, if the rains stop long enough. I got dash and wiring all redone last time home, just got to drill and tap a couple bolt holes for jackplate actuator, bolt it and motor and plug in. Good luck out there and be safe. Here is a couple shots of the XB02's new look. 353220353222

[Cervelo777]

Good to hear from you Roy! I got my boat in the water 4 times last Week. So I am making up for lost time. I am having a great time destroying the dreams of Jetskiers and just about anyone else that thinks they have a fast boat and tries to prove it. I did run against a 24' cat with a hot 3 liter. I think I could have got him, but didn't want to hit the trim one more time, because I had a passenger.

[redstv169]

Awesome Whit, glad your back up and running and getting to enjoy it. Yep that was smart decision, that one more bump can be dangerous when you're in situation like that. You did right letting good judgement make the right move instead of "I know I can get him".. I'm heading home next Tuesday after a month gone so I'm ready to get there and get the 02 finished rigged. Still will be Oct before I can possibly get it wet though. I'm only going to be home a week and well behind on "Honey do's" and tractor mowing after a month gone. You got your setup dialed in pretty good and getting some good numbers I hope? I can't believe I have missed all spring and summer, I'm ready to get dialing in setup and props.

You need to think about road trip to rally next summer,load family up and have a week in TN. We are meeting daughter, SIL an granddaughter in Nashville 1st OCT, rented house on lake there but taking the toon. We are going to decide which house we want for rally week and booking it then. We are kind a starting to look/ check out Tn lakes for retirement possibilities. So that's my excuse why I finally need to make a rally, got to check out Watts Bar area. Not that retirement is anytime near. lol.

Anyway, be safe and enjoy!