crushed and cracked lower unit

[bnice68978]

I was out on the river with my son last weekend, and hit a boulder floating in the water. The lower unit was crushed a little and formed a couple of cracks... The gears didn't seize or anything, because we were able to make it back to the dock with no mishaps. Has anyone heard of alumanoy for repairs of cracks for this problem.. any advise would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

If you could post pics, or a better description of the location of the damage, that would help decide which route is the best to take. What year, model number are we talking about? Used lower units on ebay might be one way to go, depending on the weldability of the damage, and the experience of the welder that you find.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

"and hit a boulder floating in the water" -- by golly I thought I heard everything but now we have floating rocks. Alumaloy can be used on certain repair projects but I don't think it will hold up in high stress areas like your lower unit. That said, it all depends on where the cracks are. If its in a structural area of the lower unit (an area of high stress) I would engage the services of a very experienced welder. One who deals with aluiminum castings on a regular basis. If its in an area of low stress then you can certainly try it. I've used the product and it works ok in its intended application. It behaves more like silver solder or brazing rod and does not actually penetrate and fuse the two metals.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

"and hit a boulder floating in the water" -- by golly I thought I heard everything but now we have floating rocks.

Sorry to butt in on the thread. That's the hardest I have laughed in a while Silvertip Thanks I needed that lol, now I have tears rolling down from my eyes. . Now I may have a name for my boat Floating Boulder.

Oh if you end up having to replace the Lower Unit try "cheapoldboats.com" they claim to have a bunch of marine outboard motor parts or
"http://www.laniermarine.net/" They are like a boat salvage yard.

Or like Hightrim mentioned Ebay.

I don't know your location, not asking you to share it with us but I'm saying you can probably have the lower unit crate shipped from any of these places if they have it. Or I have a number for another man that may be able to help.

 

[bnice68978]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

I'm glad I caught your attention.... it felt like hitting a boulder, but i think it was a tree stump or a log floating just below the surface. It's a 1988 johnson 40 HP engine, it's dented in where it's supposed to be round (towards the transom of the boat). and cracked in the same area. What are High stress areas of the lower unit?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

find a donor lower unit, that one is shot.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

The nose cone and prop ends of the lower unit are high stress areas because that's where the bearings are. Any damage in those areas means shaft alignment is no longer correct and it's a matter of time until things come apart (generally at the worst possible time). Without pictures it's hard to tell what you are dealing with.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

http://www.boatmotors.com/motorpart...&state=fl&zip=32210&hp=40&disp=&disp2=3&cyl=2

 

[samo_ott]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

Nonono, I want to call my boat "Floating Boulder"! Heh! If the nose cone is crushed, get a new LU. Keep the old one for parts and get them out of there asap as they're rusting as we speak due to the water infiltration. And if it was salt water it might already be too late.

 

[Lakester]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

hello,

fyi~
i like Floating Rocks better.... or in singular tense.

anyway... floating rock as in a brick... or

floating is cool, as in 'floating rocks' which is what they must have been doing... ?

huh? lol

regards
lakester

 

[Lakester]

Re: crushed and cracked lower unit

ahh, gee... i got promoted with that one... [blush]

thanks!

the lakester