SSM 3 keep or dump?
01-08-2025 | 10:30 AM
#13
Platinum Member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,366
Likes: 88
From: Glen Cove ,NY 11542
The 3a uses alot of different parts than a #3. It’s not just the propshaft. How is a #5 considerably stronger than a 3a ? As they use the same gear sets , almost all the same bearings , spur gears, shafts the same except the vertical shafts . obviously different cases but I do not think it makes the 5 considerably stronger than a 3a. Mercury rated them both at 750hp.
01-08-2025 | 11:02 AM
#14
Driver-441
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 12,011
Likes: 1,511
From: Lake George
Not looking for an internet argument but the part numbers for the upper gear sets are not the same nor have they superseded to the same number. If that we're true, the difference between the 4 and 5 would be nil. We still have the tools to rebuild all 3 
01-14-2025 | 04:44 PM
#17
Registered
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 9,967
Likes: 6,455
From: Chicago
The 3a uses alot of different parts than a #3. It’s not just the propshaft. How is a #5 considerably stronger than a 3a ? As they use the same gear sets , almost all the same bearings , spur gears, shafts the same except the vertical shafts . obviously different cases but I do not think it makes the 5 considerably stronger than a 3a. Mercury rated them both at 750hp.
# 5 is a longer 3A, both rated at the same HP.
Post #11.
https://www.riverdavesplace.com/foru.../#post-2905203
The V SSM drive uses the same transom assembly as the III-A SSM drive and contains all the qualities and features as the III-A including larger vertical bearings in the upper housing, larger driveshaft splines, larger pinion bearings, and a larger prop shaft with rear loading for increased strength.
