Mercury V6 School for lower units

**LakeFever** · 07-24-2018, 08:07 AM

After a bunch of searches and finding myself more confused than when I began I figure time for a new thread. In the pursuit of flying this rig I am on the hunt to start sourcing props and I quickly learned that the only way to really get moving is surfacing the prop and run a chopper type blade. My lower unit on this 1988 Mariner 135 is stock so I cannot surface it as is. I am thinking to put a bobs nose and lwp on there but got to thinking a second lower unit is a wise play at this stage. So I started looking around for core and complete parts motors and really dont know all what is a good OEM core to start with and what will bolt up to my mid and so on. I did find a late 70's 200 lower unit that was priced well but dont know if its a worthy find or not and well, here we are. If we could list out what the differences of factory Merc V6 lowers are, and what bolts up, and what to buy/avoid I would be very thankful.

Help get me flying!

**bullet123** · 07-24-2018, 10:31 AM

2.0, 2.4 and 2.5 v-6 lowers will bolt on. If you are going to surface your prop, you need a 200 big bearing case or sportmaster if you want it to last very long. JMO

**LakeFever** · 07-24-2018, 10:46 AM

So any year 200hp lower case is good to go? Are they all 2:1 as well or are there ratio differences over the years? Is a CLE lower better, equal, or less than a nose coned 200 case? Are Sportsmasters factory installed on engines or is this an add on only piece? Asking so I can figure out what motors I ought to be looking for on my hunt. Thanks again S&F

**bullet123** · 07-24-2018, 10:55 AM

No. 200 big bearing. It’s a ratcheting case. I can’t remember number. It think it’s a c-1

**LakeFever** · 07-24-2018, 10:58 AM

Ahhh ok so I need to find a C-1 big bearing. I just looked over my case and did not see any markings on it anywhere so how do I identify a big bearing unit?

**bullet123** · 07-24-2018, 11:34 AM

It has to be removed to see markings. on top of lower.

**bullet123** · 07-24-2018, 11:38 AM

Click image for larger version.

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**FUJIMO** · 07-24-2018, 12:15 PM

**bullet123** · 07-24-2018, 12:32 PM

I think a coned 200 big bearing is as strong as sporty or cle, just much cheaper. They usually have 1.87 gears. Just like anything with these motors, getting harder to find. I think they came on 91 to 95. Don't quote me though.

**Capt.Insane-o** · 07-24-2018, 05:41 PM

200 case is not anywhere near as strong as a sporty/cle

**bullet123** · 07-24-2018, 05:51 PM

Ok. School me

**LakeFever** · 07-24-2018, 07:34 PM

So the hierarchy is

Sporty>CLE>BB200 case?

C4 is the big bearing case number? Is there anyway to ID gear ratio differences by markings or spin it or open it up? Is there any 2:1 cases that are worth putting a LWP nose cone on?

**bullet123** · 07-24-2018, 07:39 PM

No. The pic was just showing you where number is located. Apparently I don’t know what I’m taking about, I’m bowing out

**pappa pete** · 07-24-2018, 08:26 PM

https://www.screamandfly.com/showthr...t-1647-9147-C1

**LakeFever** · 07-24-2018, 09:07 PM

Appreciate the input and links thus far. Still feel like theres a lot more to learn though. Be nice to know how to spot a good one without having to tear it all down, not many sellers are going to let someone do that before buying