Yes, and it's only there to protect the prop. If it bothers you to have it missing, a new piece can be TIG welded (by someone who's done it before). Leave the gear oil in and take the whole mess to the welding shop, but make sure they've done it before or they can wreck the gearcase.
thanks guys!!!! i figured so! i have have a briggs 5ph outboard had that done too, just didnt know for sure if johnson was alum. my buddy has a 5hp nissan outboard welders told him it was pot weld and couldnt be done unless everything was taken out of the lower unit or welding it would fry the seals inside! does that sound right?
