Yamaha 50 autolube leg change

[Jacob555]

I have a Yamaha 50 Autolube, currently long shaft. I'm wondering how much of a hassle it would be to put a short centre section on it and make it a short shaft (new boat needs short shaft). (if I can get the bits)
I assume the bits are:
Centre section, drive shaft, waterpump tube, shift linkage (plus gaskets). Are there any other elements I've not thought of?
Anybody done this? Too much of a hassle or not?
I'm guessing it's probably more desireable as a long shaft as it's better for just about every boat thats likely to have a 50 on it as a longshaft.
Best scenario I think would be to buy the shortshaft bits and keep the longshaft bits as spares in case I want to revert it in future, rather than sell it and buy a shortshaft or swap or PX it for a short shaft.
What do people think the short leg bits should cost me if I could find them?

[whisper]

Dude, don't even attempt it. Buy another engine

I've just saved you a lot of heart ache

[whisper]

In fact I would be interested in your engine if you decide to sell

[Roflhat]

there are more long shaft yam 50's about, the short shaft ones are much rarer. They're used on zapcats/thundercats and are usually snapped up fairly quickly. Might be worth looking at getting a 40hp short and tuning it to the 50hp spec.

There was a guy selling a 40hp short shaft for around £1k a while back, think it sold though. It would cost you almost that much in bits to convert yours I reckon

[spartacus]

Keep it as a long shaft engine. The Yamaha 50G engine 3-cylinder Autolube is very desirable engine.

Speaking of short-shafts...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-50H...item3f4c605f1f

[Roflhat]

Or get a tohatsu - Tohatsu 50 hp outboard | eBay