Universal Gearcase

[GheenoeRacer]

I ordered an A gear case a few months ago and received it in a little over a week. Now saving up for the conversion kit

[hshawwpba]

Is is feasible to design a universal gearcase that could be used for all engines ... all classes? If not, why not? I'm assuming that a universal gearcase would be a one design unit that could be shaped to fit the different class engine performance requirements and allow for insertion of multiple gear ratios ... just wondering!

The issue is not that there are many units that would work and making an available unit be the approved gear case makes sense in the real world. But your dealing with the stock and J class committee. The protection in APBA in all divisions of old engines and no changes has and will always over ride common sense!
The fact that the current J lower units are not available/in limited supply should push this issue to the front of the line on needed change.
It would appear to be a simple fix to this approve an available gear case for 2 cylinder classes and a gear case for 3 & 4 cylinder classes.
The gear ratios can also be part of the approval process, but again the people involved at the commission level will sit in Chicago and argue about what coil should be allowed on engines, and how big a hole to drill in a tower to get water to an engine instead of looking at the big picture of available racing products to help make needed items available and in crease membership and or participation.
After all this is the same group that just convinced the APBA BOD to approved buying 5 engines (short blocks) not complete engines with APBA funds that simply help Mercury clean out the remaining stock of OLD power heads and they think this was a good step to increase participation in J/AXS????
Really ----------Lets see a new member wants to run ASX he can find a boat or build one, gets it completed and wants a engine what now have him buy one of these short blocks and have him find the town housing somewhere and wait for a " approved unit " to come available oh yea now he will need to find a ignition system to make his new engine complete. Really this is the mentality that is going to increase membership and improve APBA wow cant wait to see what's next!

[ram95]

Would you please explain where you got this:

( I quote) After all this is the same group that just convinced the APBA BOD to approved buying 5 engines (short blocks) not complete engines with APBA funds that simply help Mercury clean out the remaining stock of OLD power heads and they think this was a good step to increase participation in J/AXS???? (un-quote)

Exactly what stock of OLD powerheads or short blocks are you speaking of?

Thanks

[pav225]

I'm pretty sure you can buy a new gearcase from Sidewinder.
Go to Racingoutboards.com to order one.

[Howie Nichols]

Racing Outboards had 5 of the omc / Merc gearcases built and available for the past 3 years with no one purchasing them. 1 was sold this fall. APBA purchased the other 4. They are sitting in Detroit available to purchase and ship today. Cost is exactly what we paid $1165 + shipping. APBA will eat the shipping cost incurred to get those units to HQ.

[hshawwpba]

Interesting when we requested to get units we were told there were non and until there was an order for 20 units they would not produce any?????
Maybe communication or better communication is needed in the monthly new letter on what APBA has in inventory for motors, units ect.
Just a thought.

[DiGia54D]

So if Howie posted yesterday that there is 4 sitting in Detroit....Has anyone called them yet to see?

[Dr. Thunder]

I spoke with Howie yesterday ... the units are indeed in Detroit.