I feel your pain on the over priced gear sets. Using a new pinion and two in good shape reverse gears would not be my first choice but i is very doable and will work just fine. Two quick tips, have the hardness checked on your new pinion. I have been seeing the new ones varying by as much as 10 points RC. If its at 52 or higher its runable. Just break the gears in easy and give some time for the new pinion to work harden/burnish its face.

WB

I agree and have been doing the same with the exception of sending the pinion out for cryo/ISO treating. I also swap drives side to side as I see wear on the magnets. My boat wears the lower gears out much faster than uppers.

Hey mike I understand the swapping if drives but they are apart is what I was getting at. I actually am just gonna get another new set. The reverse gears look great and still look like they have been bead. Lasted or whatever and only slight polishing toward the top. Is anyone interested in them with new pinion. Also have the caged bearings new in box to go with them.