What L/U will fit my 1994 OMC ?

[inspectorlance]

Well I just Popped my Looper's lower unit on my 1994 225 Venom. I am shopping for a replacement unit. What years will fit ? Will a 1999 Ficht 150 fit ? I have heard that a 1992 or newer has a bigger shaft. How new can I go ?

Wanted good used lower.

Lance

[BarryStrawn]

The driveshaft for the 60 degree "Eagle" engine is about 0.9 inch shorter than the 90 degree "Looper" so it will not work.

The 1992 change increased the overall length about 0.4 inch and the O-ring groove also got wider. No changes since then.

So you need a 1992 or newer lower from a 90 degree engine. Or you could change the upper drive shaft if you find a nice lower from an Eagle or pre 92 looper.

[inspectorlance]

Is the shaft change pretty easy ? I looked at the diagrams in my parts books and it looks pretty simple.


Any nice lowers out there for sale ?

Lance

[inspectorlance]

I have found a 1999 ficht 150 hp. That is at a reasonable price. Is a ficht and an Eagle the same thing ? If I understand correctly, I can get the 1999 ficht and just swap the shafts ??

Thanks

Lance

[BarryStrawn]

Eagle just means any of the engines with a 60 degree vee angle. This is all the 150 and 175 hp V6 engines since '92. They are also 2.6 litre/160 cubic inch. All 1999 150 hp engines are 60 degree, aka Eagles.

Ficht engines came in all sizes of V4 and V6 and are direct injection instead of having carburetors.

The pinion gear has to come off to pull the shaft out to split upper and lower. So the propshaft carrier has to come out and at that point you might as well pull everything else to check it out.

What's wrong with the lower you have?

[inspectorlance]

My lower unit blew the pinion bearing. It was like shifting into neutral at 70 mph, and a Crack at 45 degree on the side of the case, Lots of metal flakes in the lube. Oh yah she's definatly gone.

Thanks for all the great info.

Lance

[oldschoolltv]

I have a 2001 ficht 150 lower unit, I sold that motor and kept the lower unit, I am going to build a looper 200-225 up some day,will this lower unit work on all loopers if I change the drive shaft? it already has lwp on it and is good shape so I hate not to use it when I start this project? thanks Matt:D

[BarryStrawn]

Matt - With the correct driveshaft and shiftrod it will fit any Johnson or Evinrude V6.