Lesson Learned (Don't buy used parts from salt water)

[DukesFin]

Okay, lower unit in my OMC Stringer went bad. Picked up a whole '77 OMC Stringer Electric Shift from ebay. It works fine, but no worm steering as it was one of a pair of outdrives on a twin engine boat.

The bolts holding my lower unit to the exhaust housing broke off due to corrosion. Can't get the steering worm gear retainer out of the ebay outdrive due to corrosion. So, my options are...

Use my old upper unit and the lower unit off of the "new to me" outdrive... But I'm worried... Today, I will try to remove the lower unit from ebay outdrive, and somehow get the exhaust housing off of my old lower unit then put the two pcs together that I need. Cross your fingers for me!

BTW: When buying used parts, don't buy old parts that have been in salt water!!!!

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Lesson Learned (Don't buy used parts from salt water)

If you run into bolts that do not want to turn, do not force them. Get out the propane torch and heat the area around the bolt to just short of burning the paint. You may need to heat a cool it a couple of times before you go after them. Use PB Blaster in between and before you try to turn them out. Also don't just try to back them out. Try to tighten them a little, then loosen them a little. Go back and forth several times.

Be sure to chase all the bolt holes with a tap, flush them out with some brake cleaner and an air nozzle then use marine grease on the bolt threads when you re-install them.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Lesson Learned (Don't buy used parts from salt water)

If you run into bolts that do not want to turn, do not force them. Get out the propane torch and heat the area around the bolt to just short of burning the paint. You may need to heat a cool it a couple of times before you go after them. Use PB Blaster in between and before you try to turn them out. Also don't just try to back them out. Try to tighten them a little, then loosen them a little. Go back and forth several times.

Be sure to chase all the bolt holes with a tap, flush them out with some brake cleaner and an air nozzle then use marine grease on the bolt threads when you re-install them.

Thanks. That's exactly what I've tried, but to no avail... Oh well. I'll keep tinkering with it.

I'm glad I've got a buddy who lets me have use of any of his boats to go off shore in!!! I'm a lucky guy, I guess (except with some things!8)