changing a gearbox

[grahamcamm]

Hi, is it possible to convert a direct drive to a clutch drive? Is it just a case of swapping the gearbox and fitting the gear shift and linkage? Ta

[phil]

Best[easiest] to get a complete lower assembly[gearbox, drivetube with clutch lever mounted] to bolt to the powerhead. My main problem with that, is all the clutch units I have are the huge unwieldy 4:1 gearbox. Probably would not be a good plan to hang that on a model 40. Century to Century should work. As I get older I try to avoid lugging a longshaft 4:1 gearbox Century up and down the vertical ladder to the sailboat especially at low tide. I much prefer the direct drive 3.5:1 gearbox longshaft with Century powerhead and the smaller five blade prop.

[40TPI]

We don't know which model you are starting with but the basic advice would be the same........... have a look through a parts list to figure out which clutched gearbox and prop will go with the block you have available. If the idea of a 48:12 sounds too heavy then you can use a 30:12 as long as you have the correct prop for the block size. The choice then is to get a whole lower leg as suggested or collect the parts separately and then assemble as you say. If your available drive shaft casing doesn't have a hole for the gear lever then it is not a big job to drill and tap to take a tiller stud.........



Peter