Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

[SeaKing15hp]

I recently bought a 18hp Fastwin. The problem with it is the lower unit is broken. By "broken" I mean that the very bottom part of the lower unit, the part that you have to take off to access the gears and prop shaft, has pulled loose, and brought with it some of the cast aluminum threads. I believe that this was caused by hitting something submerged. There are 6 bolts that this bottom cover bolts up with. I was wondering if anyone had any good ideas about how to go about fixing it. I had thought about drilling it out, and taping it for a bigger bolt, but that idea doesnt seem very good. Also, I have thought about drilling the holes out and putting e-z lok thread inserts in. I was just wondering how much pressure was put on this cover, or if all I really had to do is keep it on and keep from bringing in water. <br /><br />Also, I have thought about just buying a new lower unit. If I go this route, what other years and hps will match up? What should I look forward to paying? Where can I find it?<br /><br />You guys are the best, Thanks for your help!<br /><br />-Jacob

 

[MCM]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Jacob, you could try helicoil inserts but then again this requires drilling and tapping.<br /><br />You may be able to find a parts l/u or even a working one on Ebay, probably other places as well.<br /><br />In order to know what would be interchangeable a motor model# would help

 

[SeaKing15hp]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Thats really what i was talking about when i said e-z lok. Do you think hellicoils would do the trick, and hold it together?<br /><br />Also, what price should I pay for a lower unit? There is one on ebay right now that I have bid up to a little north of $100, but I'm unsure of the value.<br /><br />Im sorry, I dont have the model number written down, I will have to get back with you about that. <br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jacob

 

[fishon71]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

SeaKing15hp <br /> <br />Well it depends how nice your 18 is and how bad you want to fix it up. A good price on a 40 year old lower unit in this size is about $200 and up, if you do better than that for the compete unit consider yourself lucky.

 

[rolmops]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Easy now.<br />The best thing to do is to first do a damage evaluation and report.<br />Is it just the skeg that went? Or did half your gear clutch end up in the water?Is your drive shaft straight or bent?<br />Once you know all these things you can decide whether you need a complete lower unit or just a lower unit body that you can fill up with the gear clutch,waterpump and whatever else is still good.The different years from late fifties to early sixties are very simular and a complete change might be the easiest way to go.<br />Tapping into molested aluminum is, at least in my opinion a risky thing.If you hit it so hard that it tore the bolts out,instead of breaking the skeg,I would be suspicious of that lower end.

 

[SeaKing15hp]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

I appreciate your opinions. I Have located a unit that has been run through gravel, and the skeg is worn down. The good part is that since I did hit whatever so hard, my skeg is still good (I think, and Hope). I am really trying to get by fairly cheap, I am a college student, so money is tight. I am pretty sure that my old, broken lower unit is ok, except for the stripped out holes. I will try and fix it using helicoils, and maybe have a spair. Is it unheard of to weld a new piece on the skeg? I have a buddy in the metal business that may be able to patch my worn skeg if possible. <br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jacob

 

[MCM]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Jacob, Aluminum can be welded, its dificult but not for an "experienced" welder, if you're going to use helicoils you might consider using some sleeve retainer from permatex (item# 64000), I had a spark plug insert that kept coming out with the plug in addition to leaking fuel, used some of it on the insert and I think its actually a part of the head now.<br /><br />Just a thought, anyway I'm goin' fishin'

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Any gearcase from the 1954, or 55, 15HP to the 1977 25HP will bolt right on. I have two 18HP engines from 1957, 58, they both have 1975, 25HP gearcases. If you hit something hard enough to pull the skeg loose, the gearcase will be sprung out of tolerance. It does not take much on the 15, and 18 HP engines. The 25HP gearcase is a much heavier casting. Unless the lower unit would be broke completely in two, it is almost impossibe to bend the driveshaft on any outboard. They are made of stainless steel, and have to much spring to allow that. I have used many old drive shafts for pry bars, and it is suprizing how much bend you can put in them, and they wii spring right back.

 

[SeaKing15hp]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

I really appreciate it!! R.Johnson, thats exactly what I neeeded to hear. I knew that the lower units looked a lot alike, but I didnt know if there were different drive shafts, or other parts that wouldn't line up. Also, MCM, that permatex sounds like a good idea, since it would perminately hold the helicoils in place. I guess I will fix both of the lower units, and will keep one for a spare for the next time I run over something. <br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jacob

 

[SeaKing15hp]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

R.Johnson, take a look at this auction on ebay and tell me if this unit would work or not.<br /><br />Item # 4581452409 or 4581457379<br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jacob

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

I can't bring the item up, but if it is up to 25HP, without thru hub exhaust, can you give me a disciption?

 

[SeaKing15hp]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

R.Johnson,<br /><br />Here is the description given in the ad.<br /><br />up for auction is this good used lower unit off of a 1957 evinrude 35 horsepower motor. i have checked the grease and it looked good. this lower unit was in use when the power head threw a rod. I believe this lower unit will work on all evinrude outboards from 1956 to 1964. 30 hp to 40 hp. and possibly 25 hp but i am not sure. This is a manual shift lower unit. If you own one of these outboards just remember these lower units are getting hard to find . Low reserve so happy bidding.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jacob

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

That one won't work for an 18hp. Note the 6 bolt holes. <br /><br />Looks like there's lots on ebay right now, use these search terms:<br />(18, 18hp, 20, 20hp, 25, 25hp) (evinrude, johnson) lower unit<br /><br />Be sure you get the right shaft length, as sometimes different driveshafts won't interchange perfectly. I mean on some gearcases you won't be able to take the driveshaft from your old unit and fit it in a new one. Little internal changes were made over the years.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

As Paul said, that gearcase will not work on the 15-25 HP engines. That case shown will not work on some of the later 50-60's engine because of the water pump.

 

[SeaKing15hp]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Thanks Paul, I didnt realise that you could search that way on ebay, its convienient. <br /><br />Yall are great! Keep up the good work!<br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jacob

 

[eboylan3]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

When searching for outboards and outboard related items on eBay, search separately under each possible way of expressing horsepower; e.g., "18hp", "18 hp", "18 horse", "18 horsepower". Likewise with the part name (and its possible misspellings); e.g., "lower unit," "gearbox," (and "gear box"), "gear case". Exclude undesirable decades by using a minus sign and "wild card" asterisks; e.g., "-197*", "-198*". Good luck.<br /><br />John

 

[fishon71]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

LOWER UNIT 1965 EVINRUDE JOHNSON 18 HP OUTBOARD FASTWIN Item number: Ebay 4581089799

 

[SeaKing15hp]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Thanks fishon71, I have already bid on it and emailed you!!!<br /><br />I would rather get a cheaper one, even though its worth it.<br /><br />Is the cowl that you have listed the same thats on a 1969?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />-Jacob

 

[fishon71]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

I think the cover is the same, but the decals are sightly diferent.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Early 1960s 18hp Fastwin Lower Unit

Lots of various year covers fit just fine. Pretty much any fiberglass 18/20/25hp one will do.