Lower Unit Casing Question

[luvtoboat]

Hello,
I think in my attempt to save money, I've probably screwed up and will cost myself quite a bit. I have a '83 70 HP Mercury outboard. I wanted to change the impeller since the tell-tale was not peeing. I bought the manual, perused this forum, and felt confident to go ahead and do it. The problem started about 5 minutes into the project. I couldn't get the fill or vent screws undone. I used a screw extractor and successfully got the vent screw. Unfortunately the fill screw wasn't as pretty. I decided to have a pro do the job and he said that if I messed up the thread of that screw, I'm looking at nearly $800! He said I may need to buy a new casing for the lower unit (I'm not sure if casing is the proper term) and it would run $400. That seems really high for an old motor.....just curious if anyone thinks I could find that part on an old motor that someone was going to toss to the junk yard. Any leads/suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Laddies]

Re: Lower Unit Casing Question

Before any one can help we need the casting number that is inside the gear hsg. at the back near the trim tab bolt or a serial number
The other thing is if the "Pro" that has the motor can not get the screw out he's not much of a "pro"

 

[TriadSteeler]

Re: Lower Unit Casing Question

It's not so much that the casing is that expensive, which it is. I've seen them on Ebay for $50-$100. The problem is getting your prop shaft, bearing case, reverse gear, clutch dog, forward gear, shift shaft assembly, water pump assembly, and drive shaft from one LU casing to the other. Depending on what your case is like, you could be looking at least $100 just in specialized tools (spanner nut wrench, Shift shaft bushing tool, Bearing case puller) to take the LU apart. Not to mention gasket kits, seal kits, spacers, etc.

Personally, It would be easier to buy a used engine. I have read the LU assembly dissassembly instruction in great detail and its probably something I wouldn't attempt depending on what I have invested in the engine.

What is the current state of your lower unit at present? Is the fill screw hole stripped and do you have the engine or does this "pro."