Im looking at a spare upper b1x, I think the guy is trying to pass it over as a b1x when I think its a b1.

My question did the early b1x have the regular retainer nut that uses the standard spanner wrench or do they all have the retainer nut that uses the spanner wrench with the pins in it like the XZ,XR drives.

Here's a pix of a X
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...28X%2DDRIVE%29

looks like it's the pin type retainer.

Here's a pix of the latest std bravo, looks like it has the notched type
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_...ift+Components

The standard B1 uses the old style retainer nut. It is possible that his drive was upgraded with the X gears. The way to check is to pull the top cap and look at the race on the tower. If it looks like it is pressed on too far (with the tower sticking out of it by 1/8") and it has the thrust bearings that are .125" thick, it has the X gears. If the race is the same height as the tower and thin thrust bearings.. It isnt X..

Hope that helps...

D*ck

What if he just switched the gear set and not the bearings and shims would it be worth anything? Also is the b1x gears bigger in dimension compared to the b1?

Here's a link that tells the difference between them.

http://www.go-fast.com/mercruiser_bravo_sterndrives.htm

The X gears are better, but the X case also has the
steel bearing tower.

If it was a pre OM s/n and he did what D*ck said,
and just installed the X gear kit, he has, basically,
what a post OM s/n standard bravo is.

Thanks for the info, I saw the upper on ebay and was just curious maybe if the price stays right. Im pretty sure its a post 0m, so if it is a post drive would it be alright if it just had a gear swap and used the original shims, would the clearances be correct? Of course I find this after I drop my 1x off for a new upper gear set.

Jim,
You cant just reuse the shims from one set of gears to another. They have to be setup with the proper process inorder for them to live. Too many variations to just swap.. Every gear set could have it's own setup depending on maching tollerances..

HOpe this helps. Sorry it has been a while since I posted..

D*ck

Thanks for the info, the drive I was looking at ended up disappearing on ebay.