JB Weld, or can I weld?

[Flinging-Arrow]

I figured it out!!!!!!!!
93 Merc Alpha 1 w/ 4.3L. Taken on water from exhaust. Below main shaft, have small crack/hole near parting line of casting.
If outdrive is removed, can I get at it with a welder? It's right below the main shaft coming out of engine aprox 3 in before bolts to outdrive.
Is it cast iron?
How could it crack? It's 5-10 mm off the parting line.
JB Weld? I do not like being a hack, but have vaca planned in 3 weeks.

Please comment, wife is afraid to have kids in boat.......

Thanks in advacne for any feedback,
Chris

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

If I understand you correctly you're talking about welding the gimbal housing (an aluminum casting) while it's still in the boat?

If it's cracked it cracked for a reason, possibly high impact or a seriously rotted transom or both....

If this is the case putting JB weld on it won't cut it.... and if you wanted to weld it .....To do it right you'd have to remove it from the boat, completely strip/sand blast it, stop drill the crack, grind a proper groove on both sides and weld it with a GTAW using the correct alloy filler rod.

Even though I have the welder and the know-how I wouldn't even attempt it since it's far easier to just get a used gimbal and replace it.


I know this could put a crimp in your plans but your wife is right. It might not be safe the way it is.



Regards,


Rick

 

[Flinging-Arrow]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

I'll have to look up the "houseing"???? Aluminun exhaust? It's coming in the exhaust?
This forum is great. Now that I'm getting familar, I found a bunch of comments about welding a exhaust/intake. My 4.3 appears to be "just exhaust" under the main drive shaft exiting the engine to outdrive / exhaust to exteroir housing. My good friend owns a scrap yard w/ lot of welding exp. I'm just not sure if he can get at it with the outdrive removed.
Not going to pull engine this summer. I see no other way????
Please comment.... I aint skeered....

 

[tic]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

I just JB Welded a cracked block on an OMC 130... I'll let you know if it holds.. pretty accessible crack, maybe 2.5" across, low on the block.. Like you I'm just trying to get through the summer w/o spending big bucks.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

Replace what ya got there...welding Aluminum in there is idotic, (if not inpossible), and anything cast iron cannot be welded...only brazed..

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

It's difficult to tell what is cracked from your description . Is it the exhaust Y-tube that's cracked or the gimbal?

The Y-tube is probably aluminum. It's easily weldable for someone experienced in welding aluminum if that's what's really cracked. You'll have to remove it to weld it though. And if I'm not mistaken to remove it you'll have to pull the engine.

The picture below is from Doug Russell parts. I just picked a 1993 4.3L V-6.

If you want the correct part numbers etc you'll have to go in there with your serial number to find the correct parts list.


Good luck.


Rick

 

[Bondo]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

If outdrive is removed, can I get at it with a welder?

Nope,.........

It's the Y-Pipe,...... It's All on the Inside of the boat........

I think I'd be concerned about Why it's leaking, as well as Fixing the Leak.....

I've seen Many times that the Exhaust Flappers get burnt up from an overheat,+ drop into the Y-Pipe, which causes them to wear a hole in the pipe,........

Pull the Exhaust Elbow,+ Look down in the Y-Pipe,......
The Flappers should be staring you in the face,.....
If Not,......
I'd be pulling the motor to get the Y-Pipe Out,+ Fix it ..............

 

[Flinging-Arrow]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

Exhaust Flappers.... Got it. Don't like hearing pulling moter$$$

 

[Flinging-Arrow]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

Exhaust elbow on outdrive, or inside? How many flappers should I see 1, or 2.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: JB Weld, or can I weld?

The flappers on a V-6 would be #6 in my crude picture above.

there's 2 of them. They act as "check valves" to help prevent water from traveling back into the exhaust from a quick shut-down while underway etc.