Quote:
Originally Posted by kmoose
. . . the real application for the Cushion Lock system is for big HP motors 300hp and above that swing huge heavy props. The system dampens the engagement of the lower unit gears so that they don't suffer from the shear stresses created by the spinning load that would damage the lower units over time. . . )
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That makes total sense. I was told by the tech I spoke to at PT that the Cushion Lock was developed for the Yamaha 4 strokes and that it wasn't required for my motor, so I didn't pursue the issue any further. This was over 6 years ago, so perhaps he was talking about the big V-8 Yamaha OB's; I suspect this rationale probably applies to the Zuke's also, since they swing large diameter props because of their extra gear reduction.
Since BRP uses the SAME basic lower unit on all G1 Standard V-6 motors from the small block 2.6L 135-200 hp to the big block 3.4L 200-300HP motors, that lower unit is rather seriously overbuilt for the small block motors, which clearly don't need the fancy hub system! Oh, and yes, the E-TEC's do have a shift interrupter switch like MerCruisers have had for years (which can stick and cause a no-start condition, so something to check if motor cranks but won't start . . . the price of "progress"/added complexity!)