Buying 3.0 mercruiser outdrive questions

[Brad2388]

Ok last time lol. I went today to test drive a boat. All checked out ok but there a couple issues i want to quiz yall about.

At the end of the season he had the impeller serviced and replaced. The gasket at the top gimbal bearing looks blowed out or torn. Is this a problem? I know i will replace it when i buy it but does water get in this way? Please see the pic.

Also above the prop is busted. What does this do? I know i will prollly replace the lower half if it is a problem.

He told me he hi something and broke the prop and the top of the foot.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Brad2388]

Sorry for the no pics! I uploaded them to photobucket.

Can i add a hydrofoil to cover it up?

 

[Rick Stephens]

That's just a hunk of aluminum - the cavitation plate. In fact, no oil or gears inside next to it, so a decent welder can cut a hunk of flat aluminum to fit and just weld it in, grind to match and paint. No problemo.

The gasket will always poop out if the nuts are tightened unevenly and or the gasket surfaces are oily or wet. If you progressively tighten the nuts down, and keep an eye on that gasket, it won't pooch out. like that.

And yeah, when they look like that water will get into the shift linkage area and potentially into the u-joint bellows causing problems. But looks like it would be easily redone with a new gasket and proper method.

Rick

 

[Brad2388]

That's just a hunk of aluminum - the cavitation plate. In fact, no oil or gears inside next to it, so a decent welder can cut a hunk of flat aluminum to fit and just weld it in, grind to match and paint. No problemo.

The gasket will always poop out if the nuts are tightened unevenly and or the gasket surfaces are oily or wet. If you progressively tighten the nuts down, and keep an eye on that gasket, it won't pooch out. like that.

And yeah, when they look like that water will get into the shift linkage area and potentially into the u-joint bellows causing problems. But looks like it would be easily redone with a new gasket and proper method.

Rick

Good deal.
Is that area connected to anything with oil? Where water and gear oil can mix ?

The gasket i mean.

The cavatation plate doesnt seem to addect anything that i noticed. Maybe speed on the top im not sure.

 

[Grub54891]

Check the mating surfaces where the drive bolts on, smooth and flat. Also the nuts and studs do wear out, check them also. The studs rarely get worn to much, but if the nits were bad they can vet jimmy'd up. If the nuts are wore put, replace them, they get torqued to 50 Ft lbs.

 

[Brad2388]

Also is that a gen 1 or gen 2?

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Gen.II,....

 

[Brad2388]

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Gen.II,....

Thanks!
Ive ordered the gaskets needed for it and will fix it when i get it. The impeller was changed in may according to his invoice. Should i change it or let it ride another year. I dont think its ran much since then because his wife was pregnant.but theres no hr meter so idk.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...The Alpha 1 impellers last a couple years,...
The Gen.II impellers are abit more durable,....
Ya oughta get another year or 2 outa it,....

 

[Brad2388]

Awesome! Thanks for all the info! Supposed to pick up the boat friday.

That gasket that is cracked will that allow water in the foot oil?