15 hp Evinrude drive shaft question

[jnb]

Should my 1979 15904e drive shaft work with a lower unit off a late 80's model?
It looks like the same pinion is used into the 90's. Is that the part the drive shaft drops into? Thanks.

[boats.net]

Same drive shaft is used on 1977-1985 10 and 15hp models.

[jnb]

Do you know if the splines on the bottom are the same after 85? Does the drive shaft drop into the pinion? Thanks.

[boats.net]

Not sure what changes were made and if pinion splines are same or not.