Cutting thru the SD50 vs. SD60 Mustard

[Divedoug68]

As a new owner of pair of "well used" SD50 Saildrives on a pair of 3000+ hour Yanmar 4JH4E engines, I am in a quandary; rebuild or replace? I have had a number of conversations with mechanics and dealers and there seems to be no real consensus except on one thing, keep the engines, rebuild them.

I've read a lot on this site and others, but need some assistance cutting thru the mustard, rebuild the existing SD50's or replace them with SD60's. I would appreciate input from those who may have had this debate with themselves and the final decision you took.

[Captain Bill]

Mine were SD40's with about 3200 hours on them. The question was do I rebuild them for $3800 each or replace them for $4800 each. Removal and installation costs we identical with the exception of the adapter kits required to mount them to the sd40 sail drive beds. I went for the SD60's The parts in the sd40s were total crap. The internal parts for the sd40 and 50 are exactly the same. The only difference is the case. The sd60 is made by ZF which is a different company than made the sd40/50. The SD60 appears to be made of better quality stuff but only time will tell. I've had them for 18 months and have about 600 hours on them. They've been from Florida to Maine and back and to the Exumas and back. So far, so good. Having said that they'll probably blow up tomorrow.

[Divedoug68]

Bill, thanks for the first hand experience. Fingers crossed they will behave now that you have spoken about them!

[boatbod]

SD60 have their own issues with clutch pack slipping if the shift cables aren't adjusted to 30mm +/-1mm.

At least the SD50 was a known quantity. As long as you pulled and deglazed the cones every year you were usually good to go.

[Divedoug68]

Originally Posted by boatbod

SD60 have their own issues with clutch pack slipping if the shift cables aren't adjusted to 30mm +/-1mm.

At least the SD50 was a known quantity. As long as you pulled and deglazed the cones every year you were usually good to go.

Thanks for the heads up "Boatbod"! Appreciate the additional insight.