Would Montana trade twelve 16-inch guns for nine 18-inch guns?

Would a Montana-type ship use three triple 18-inch turrets instead of four triple 16-inch turrets?

The naval preference described here favours 16-inch super-heavy shells and rate of fire, although knowledge of Yamato could create pressure for 18-inch guns.

The choice involves the number of guns and their firing performance as well as calibre. A later exchange returns to the 16-inch super-heavy shell as a reason to retain the smaller weapon. An 18-inch response remains a political possibility in the counterfactual, rather than a settled Montana redesign. No completed ship or authorised conversion is claimed.