Holes in cavitation plate - should I repair?

[gamarines2]

Because I destroyed my mercruiser alpha 1 lower unit in the desert we once called Clark's Hill Lake bordering Georgia/South Carolina, I bought a used lower on e-bay. Anyhow, the seller failed to mention that the cavitation plate on this lower had 7, yes, I said 7, poorly drilled holes on each side and a major chunk taken out of the aft starboard side of the plate. Seems as if the previous owner had some sorta attachment or something.

Will these holes affect performance and should they be repaired? If so, any recommendations for repair options would be appreciated. The rig I own sits in the water 9 months a year.

Jake

 

[DJ]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate - should I repair?

They won't hurt anyting but JB Weld will fix them right up.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Holes in cavitation plate - should I repair?

Fill the holes and you can even re-build the missing piece with marine tex (or JB weld)..... sand it smooth and paint it black with spray paint.

It probably had a fin or a trolling plate attached at one time.