'60 lightwin

[jimh6278]

I have an old lightwin, 3034, I am debating over. It was used in salt water and when I tried to take off the impeller housing the trouble began. I had to use an impact wrench to get into the lower housing lube ports but the impeller housing came off in pieces. In the course of getting it off I wound up losing the key that goes into the drive shaft and impeller slot. Real small and after going over the whole shop with a strong magnet I have to conclude it is lost.

I wound up buying a lower unit on ebay that is complete and in good shape but I still do not have that key. All I need is an impeller, rubber bushing for the water supply tube, and an "o" ring for the top of the drive shaft. If I had the key.

I found a complete kit on mastertech marine but they want $109 + shipping. And I do not need the housing or wear plate or bolts to attach it with. And there is no spark so I am looking at another $100 + for coils, plug wires, points, and condensers. And I am already a little bit pregnant to the tune of $30. I could buy another motor and scrap this one out but that adds to my collection and my wife thinks I have too many motors and boats in various stages of repair as it is.

If I could find a key for the drive shaft I could get a tune-up kit from mastertech for $160 with most of what I need.. Any suggestions on what I can do about the missing key.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: '60 lightwin

That key for the impeller is most likely a little dowel pin, right? If that's the case, then you can easily make one. All you need to do is find a stainless pop rivet the same diameter and cut it to length to fit in the hole on the shaft. You may be into it for less than a couple bucks.

 

[jimh6278]

Re: '60 lightwin

Actually it is a "t" shaped thing. This is from memory because I only saw it briefly. As I can see from the hole in the shaft it is probably 1/4 inch deep and it had a small, square top welded on it. It is clearly visible in the Mastertech picture of the $109 kit. I figured I might fabricate something but I was hoping somebody allready did it and could let me know what they used and how it worked.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: '60 lightwin

Well, a small dowel ket the same diameter would work fine, but, you should be able to acquire one at your local marine dealer. If they can't help you, then I would try Seaway Marine, up in Seattle, WA. They stock a lot of parts for older engines.

 

[F_R]

Re: '60 lightwin

Well, a small dowel ket the same diameter would work fine, but, you should be able to acquire one at your local marine dealer. If they can't help you, then I would try Seaway Marine, up in Seattle, WA. They stock a lot of parts for older engines.

OK, here's the real deal. The 306196 T-shaped key was required for the impellers with a plastic center hub. But can also be used with the bronze hub impellers. Your new impeller is bronze hubbed, right? So you can use the round key in those. Ace Hardware sells a one foot piece of stainless steel that you can saw off and make dozens of impeller keys and some shear pins too. Yes, the shear pin is stainless steel. Or at least is supposed to be.