Have a 2002 29 Fountain Fever and it currently runs left hand rotation. I think Fountain is one of the only manufactures that set up there single engine boats that way.
Knowing the case strength is higher using the lower drive gear as it is supported better, would it be better to run right hand rotation? Or will a billet top cap and stud kit be fine? Running over 700hp and yes I know the XR is a weak link. Just can’t scrape up $14k for an NXT drive.
Anyone change from left to right rotation? And if so, what handling issues that came from that?
Rebuilding the entire drive now and had the gears cryo’ed and lowers polished, both upper and lower gears along with the clutch shaft surface treated with a special process to increase the surface hardness by 1.5x and reduce friction by 6 time over stock. Knowing the XR gears have a big problem with friction due to the deep engagement and when you increase power they scuff and wear through the case hardness fast and then BANG, there goes another drive. I’m in big hopes this process will work.
Who manufactures the best top cap?
Thanks and any input will help

was always told that single engine fountains run better with left hand rotation

Formula Fastech 271 is a single engine boat and also runs a left hand prop. I have tested a right hand prop and boat lists to the right hand side pretty bad. Manufactures run a left hand to counter the balance. I also have a 700hp engine and run an XR drive. I installed a Max Machine worx billet top cap. It is about 3 inches thick and also has huge studs. Massive! The top cap has to be twice as strong as the XR housing. Hope this helps..Jeff Wurl

The Max top cap does look very nice. Ever heard anything about the Billet Marine cap?

http://www.billetmarine.com/Our%20Products.htm

Like those 7/16" studs from worx also.
Looked at several pairs of failed gears and sent one set to a gear guru and he said it looked like the case was flexing and causing the gears to heal-out and snap off. Those were off a 900hp setup. My old gears looked pretty good and the wear showed it was on a right hand rotation before the old owner put it on my boat.
Think I will stay with the left rotation due to the handling issue.

Big burly top caps are ok.
oversize stud kits are ok.
the weak link in a L.R. bravo is the retainer collar and the half
moon keepers .
Mac

I run the Billet Marine cap and can't say anything bad about it

I'm working close with the drive builder, he has collars and retainers that have been thru a special heat treat process to help the problem with them. I'm waiting to hear back for his recommendation on a top cap. Guessing he will go with the Worx cap.

I have a 2001 w/500 efi and the boat according to the factory Fountain test report was tested with a right hand rotation prop and I still run a rh prop.