No good deed goes unpunished!

tx1961whaler

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1969 40 HP JohnnyRude, mostly Model 40952R (for this post ,anyway..)
I just replaced my water pump/impeller/plate assembly and all new grommets and gaskets, because my old one was getting weaker than I'd like and I got a steal on a NOS water pump housing on Ebay. But I digress.....

As a result of my fine work, I now have water shooting quite nicely out of the exhaust housing cover where the heat exchanger fittings are. Looks like a healthy squirt gun stream in 2 places right at the fittings. I don't use the heat exchanger (different carb...) The fittings' center holes are blocked off with brass plugs (not leaking there!). Amazing what really good water pressure does....

Another important bit of info is that this was a saltwater motor most of it's life, but well maintained. Only freshwater now, however.

Anyway, the question is: is this repairable from the outside with JB Weld, or is that a total waste of time? If it can be done and only last a couple of seasons before having to do it again, then I would prefer that method. As I said before, it was a saltwater motor, and I know (because no good deed goes unpunished...) that I would most certainly bust off at least 1 or two of the exhaust cover bolts doing this. Shooting water onto the inside of the engine cover if the JB weld fails in not a huge issue, since I am now in freshwater and all that remains of the electrical system is under the flywheel.

If the answer is NO to JB Weld, then do both the outer and inner exhaust covers need to be replaced? The list price for the Outer and Inner cover + gasket is like 50 bucks (shop.evinrude.com), but I'd rather not have the beating of drilling out the busted bolts if I can avoid it. It's still darn hot here in TX!
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: No good deed goes unpunished!

Tex..... The major problem is that if the exhaust baffle has visible leaks, it is also going to leak on the other side which will lead into the exhaust ports, pistons etc. It's best to bite the bullet and install the older style baffle plate assembly. Use a hand help propane torch to help loosen the baffle plate screws and work carefully to avoid broken screw problems (been there many times).

Good used baffle plates should be readily available at various outboard repair shops. I'll check my remaining stock to see if I have anything that might be of help, and if so, I'll get back to you.
 

tx1961whaler

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Re: No good deed goes unpunished!

Joe,
Thanks for the reply. I think I'll hit it w/ PB Blaster here right now, and get to it after church. I might be pleasantly surprised, but I doubt it. Those bolts are original and have never been taken off (40 years?).
Part of my saltwater maintenance was to spray all of the bolts w/ WD40 when I got back in (well, really most of the engine), so I haven't had issues w/ corrosion on the motor
 

tx1961whaler

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Re: No good deed goes unpunished!

I got the exhaust cover off. 10 bolts came out (none willingly), and 6 broke off at the bolt head. Luckily there is about 1/2" of stud sticking out on all of them, so I can probably get them out without too much more trouble. Some more heat will probably do the trick.
The inner cover and heat exchanger look OK, but I haven't separated the inner from the outer cover and cleaned them up yet.
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: No good deed goes unpunished!

I checked my remaining stock. All I have left in that exhaust baffle department is the main gaskets, and of course they would be available anywhere.
 

tx1961whaler

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Re: No good deed goes unpunished!

Thanks for looking. It looks like all I need is the outer cover and all the gaskets. The inner cover is stainless and in great shape, as is the heat exchanger. The outer cover is toast. It broke all apart around the holes when I took the heat exchanger mounting nuts off.
Now to finish drilling the 6 busted bolts out. PB Blaster and lots of heat didn't break them free. :(
 

Joe Reeves

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Re: No good deed goes unpunished!

Best to replace the inner plate also.
 
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