1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

[BOAH]

I have a 1973 115 and two years ago, I found some water in the lower unit oil so I bought a seal kit and installed new seals. When I replaced the seals, I noticed that the drive shaft was really pitted with corrosion. I knew that it was only going to be a temporary fix and it has been. I've got water in the oil again so after looking at the prices of drive shafts, etc. I think it would make more sense to buy a lower unit that hasn't seen salt water and then put a new seal kit in that one.

First question, does it make more sense to buy a good used one that hasn't seen salt water rather than trying to replace the drive shaft and other corroded parts on mine?

Second question, are there stamped numbers or something on the units to make sure that I buy the correct one for my engine? Or is there some other way to tell?

Thanks for your help!

 

[James R]

Re: 1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

Here is one option. Yes replace the lower with one from a fresh water motor. Plug your model and year into **********. Pull up the drawings. Click on the part and all the models using that lower will be shown. Hop on Ebay and find a lower.
Good luck.

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

Ya, you want a used lower that hasn't been molested, even if you got the parts and fixxed yours the lowers have such tight tolerances it may just pop after a year or 2 anyhow if you don't get it put back togehter perfectly.

I got my current lower of Ebay and it has worked perfectly for 3 years, I got mine WITH a new prop for somehting like $126, don't expect to find that kind of deal, I almost past out when I won it for that, but they are out there and if you spend your time looking you can get a good deal.

If you haven't spent much time on Ebay, feedback is everything, if someone has consistently bad feedback skip them but don't worry about one or two if they have alot of sales, some people are never happy.

 

[BOAH]

Re: 1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

Thanks for the replies. James R, it looks like you might have tried to post a link but apparently it was blocked. Can you either try it again or PM me with that link?

I still have the question though, is there some number stamped somewhere on it to tell me exactly what lower end it is? The reason I ask is that I did find a used one for sale but the seller isn't 100% sure what year and HP the motor was that it came off of.

Thanks again.

 

[mark1961]

Re: 1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

Thanks for the replies. James R, it looks like you might have tried to post a link but apparently it was blocked. Can you either try it again or PM me with that link?

He was most probably referring to "boats dot net".......

I still have the question though, is there some number stamped somewhere on it to tell me exactly what lower end it is?

Not that ive seen.....getting hold of the right unit is going to be a matter of cross referencing the appropriate part numbers.....housing, driveshaft, shiftrod connector etc.....it helps if the vendor can tell you what model the replacement unit came off.....

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: 1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

Check your PM James....

 

[BOAH]

Re: 1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

Oh boy, here we go. I found a used lower end unit on Ebay for $100 that a marine shop was selling in Minnesota. Perfect. So I call the guy because he only had one bad picture of it. We talked and I decided to buy it. He told me that it's in working condition, been pressure checked and there's no leaks. I just received it and now I'm not so excited. The first thing I noticed is that the trim tab is cracked and bent. Not a huge deal because I can replace it. I look closer at the case and about a 3" chunk has been broken off of the horizontal fin that goes around the case above the prop. It's broken off near the front. I can take a picture if that helps. Is that going to be an issue?

And finally, I can't turn the driveshaft by hand. So I thought it must be in gear but I can spin the prop shaft easily. Am I missing something and did I just buy an anchor?

 

[mark1961]

Re: 1973 Evinrude 115 - Need to replace lower unit

The piece missing from anti vent plate shouldnt be an issue.....are you sure its not just the friction from the impeller thats preventing you from turning the driveshaft?.....try pouring a bit of liquid soap inside the water pump housing......you need to turn it in a clockwise direction only.