The SEI SE221 Mercury lower unit is a new aftermarket replacement gearcase for selected Mercury outboards using the 4.8-inch torpedo-style housing and a 15-spline propeller shaft. Unlike a single-application gearcase, the SE221 family supports three distinct engine architectures, so the correct configuration must be selected using the engine serial number, engine family, original gear ratio and driveshaft length.

For selected 3.0L V6 two-stroke Mercury outboards, the SE221 uses a 13-spline driveshaft and a 1.75:1 gear ratio. These applications are associated with Mercury’s transition from the earlier SE216-style gearcase around serial number 1B504989.

For selected 2.6L inline-six Verado four-strokes, the SE221 uses a 20-spline driveshaft and is available with 1.75:1 or 1.85:1 ratios in 20-, 25- and 30-inch configurations. For selected 1.7L inline-four supercharged Verado four-strokes, 2.08:1 configurations are available with 20- and 25-inch driveshafts.

This is a standard-rotation replacement lower unit. It does not replace the SE228 counter-rotation family, a 5.44-inch Verado gearcase, Torque Master, Torque Master 2 or Sport Master applications. Later Mercury V6 and V8 engines carrying the Verado name also use different gearcases.

Because several incompatible Mercury lower units look similar externally, do not order by horsepower or appearance alone. Submit the complete engine serial number and verify all application details before installation.

Quick Fitment Summary

Specification Mercury SE221 Outboard Lower Unit | 3.0L V6 & Verado 4.8-Inch |SE90-221
Product New aftermarket replacement gearcase
Manufacturer SEI Marine
Product family SE221 / 90-221
Rotation Standard/right-hand only
Gearcase style 4.8-inch torpedo family; approximately 4.88 inches on individual SEI listings
Propeller shaft 15-spline
Engine family 1 Selected Mercury 3.0L V6 two-strokes with 13-spline driveshaft
Engine family 2 Selected Mercury 2.6L inline-6 Verado four-strokes with 20-spline driveshaft
Engine family 3 Selected Mercury 1.7L inline-4 supercharged Verado four-strokes with 20-spline driveshaft
V6 serial transition Transition occurs around serial 1B504989; verify the exact serial before ordering
2.6L I6 horsepower Selected 200–300 HP applications
1.7L I4 horsepower Selected 135–200 HP supercharged applications
Gear ratios 1.75:1, 1.85:1 and 2.08:1 depending on engine family
Shaft options 20-inch, 25-inch and selected 30-inch configurations
Major exclusions 5.44-inch torpedo, Torque Master, Torque Master 2, Sport Master and later V6/V8 Verado
Not included Installation kit and anode kit

How to Choose the Correct SE221 Mercury Lower Unit

Start with the engine architecture, not horsepower. The SE221 family covers a 3.0L V6 two-stroke, a 2.6L inline-six Verado four-stroke and a 1.7L inline-four Verado four-stroke. These applications require different driveshaft spline counts and gear ratios even though some gearcases may look similar externally.

Next, confirm the 4.8-inch torpedo-style housing. The SE221 is not a replacement for the larger 5.44-inch Verado gearcase. You should also confirm a 15-spline propeller shaft. A 19-spline fat shaft may indicate a Torque Master, Torque Master 2 or Sport Master application that is not covered by the SE221.

After confirming the engine family, match the existing gear ratio and driveshaft length. Selected 3.0L V6 applications use a 1.75:1 ratio. The 2.6L inline-six Verado applications may use 1.75:1 or 1.85:1, while the supported 1.7L inline-four Verado applications use 2.08:1.

Finally, provide the complete engine serial number. This is especially important for 3.0L V6 engines near the SE216-to-SE221 transition around serial number 1B504989. Do not order solely by horsepower, year or external appearance.

Application / Compatibility Guide

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What Customers Say

Frequently Asked Questions

What engines does the SEI SE221 lower unit fit?
The SE221 fits three specific Mercury engine families: selected 3.0L V6 two-strokes with a 13-spline driveshaft, selected 2.6L inline-6 Verado four-strokes with a 20-spline driveshaft, and selected 1.7L inline-4 supercharged Verado four-strokes with a 20-spline driveshaft. Fitment must be verified using the complete engine serial number, original gear ratio, shaft length, torpedo diameter and rotation.
Is the SE221 a standard-rotation or counter-rotation lower unit?
The 90-221 variants on this page are standard or right-hand rotation. Supported counter-rotation applications use the separate SE228 family. Verify the existing gearcase rotation before ordering, especially on a twin-engine boat.
Does the SE221 fit every Mercury Verado outboard?
No. The SE221 fits selected 2.6L inline-6 and 1.7L inline-4 Verado applications using the 4.8-inch torpedo-style gearcase. It does not fit every engine carrying the Verado name, including later V6 and V8 Verado engines that use different gearcases.
Does the SE221 replace a 5.44-inch Verado lower unit?
No. The SE221 is intended for the 4.8-inch torpedo family only and does not replace the larger 5.44-inch Verado gearcase. Measure and identify the existing gearcase before ordering.
Does the SE221 replace Torque Master, Torque Master 2 or Sport Master gearcases?
No. The SE221 does not replace Torque Master, Torque Master 2 or Sport Master gearcases. These performance applications may use a 19-spline fat propeller shaft, while the SE221 uses a 15-spline propeller shaft.
What is the difference between the SE216 and SE221 lower units?
The SE216 and SE221 cover different Mercury gearcase families. SEI identifies a transition around serial number 1B504989 for selected 3.0L V6 two-strokes. Because the exact boundary must be handled carefully, provide the complete engine serial number instead of choosing solely by model year.
What gear ratios are available for the SE221?
The SE221 family includes 1.75:1, 1.85:1 and 2.08:1 configurations, but the ratios are not interchangeable selections for every engine. Selected 3.0L V6 applications use 1.75:1, selected 2.6L inline-6 Verado applications use 1.75:1 or 1.85:1, and selected 1.7L inline-4 Verado applications use 2.08:1.
What shaft lengths are available for the SE221?
The SE221 is offered in 20-inch, 25-inch and selected 30-inch configurations. The 3.0L V6 and 2.6L inline-6 families include 20-, 25- and 30-inch options. The 1.7L inline-4 family includes 20- and 25-inch options.
How many driveshaft splines does the SE221 use?
The spline count depends on the engine family. Supported 3.0L V6 two-strokes use a 13-spline driveshaft, while supported 2.6L inline-6 and 1.7L inline-4 Verado applications use a 20-spline driveshaft. The SE221 uses a 15-spline propeller shaft.
Does the SE221 fit a non-supercharged Mercury inline-four?
No. The supported 1.7L inline-4 application is a supercharged Verado. Similar-looking Mercury inline-four four-strokes that are not Verado and not supercharged are excluded.
Are the installation kit and anode kit included with the SE221?
No. SEI states that the installation kit and anode kit are not included with the SE221 lower unit. Confirm the required service parts and anodes with the installer before beginning installation.
How do I verify the correct SE221 variant before ordering?
Provide the complete engine serial number and model number, then verify the engine family, standard rotation, 4.8-inch torpedo-style housing, 15-spline propeller shaft, original gear ratio, driveshaft spline count and driveshaft length. Do not select the lower unit using horsepower or appearance alone.

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