lower unit crack

[ben_fishn]

i have a 1973 20 hp mercury outboard. i just found a hair line crack about 3/4" long in lower unit. oil is leaking from the crack. is there a way i can patch this or will housing need to be replaced? i have no idea what caused it. thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Sig_Mech]

Re: lower unit crack

Hey Ben, The possibility exists that it can be fixed. You would have to find someone in your area that can weld aluminum and see if they feel comfortable doing it. You'll need to remove the lower unit, drain the lube and possible drill the ends of the crack to stop it from spreading. Then have it welded and you should be good to go.

 

[jebeebe]

Re: lower unit crack

Hey Ben, The possibility exists that it can be fixed. You would have to find someone in your area that can weld aluminum and see if they feel comfortable doing it. You'll need to remove the lower unit, drain the lube and possible drill the ends of the crack to stop it from spreading. Then have it welded and you should be good to go.

I'll bet you could fix it with "JB WELD". JB is a realy good product and the lower unit wouldn't get hot. If you were to drill a hole at both ends of the crack and grind a groove from hole to hole and mix some JB and dab it in the holes and the groove and let it cure a day or so. I wouldn't drill all the way through the case and get chips inside. would take some finess but I bet it would work. I fixed pontoon tubes with it and the stator on my motor is being held together with it and runs fine. Broke off the lug that the linkage hooks to and glued it back together with JB and the next day I started radiusing around the lug and building it up. Beats spending 189.00 for a new stator.............Jerry

 

[j_martin]

Re: lower unit crack

Duct tape!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: lower unit crack

I'll bet you could fix it with "JB WELD". JB is a realy good product and the lower unit wouldn't get hot. If you were to drill a hole at both ends of the crack and grind a groove from hole to hole and mix some JB and dab it in the holes and the groove and let it cure a day or so. I wouldn't drill all the way through the case and get chips inside. would take some finess but I bet it would work. I fixed pontoon tubes with it and the stator on my motor is being held together with it and runs fine. Broke off the lug that the linkage hooks to and glued it back together with JB and the next day I started radiusing around the lug and building it up. Beats spending 189.00 for a new stator.............Jerry

Yep..that would work, but use JB WaterWeld putty..(and it probably cracked from freezing water mixed in the oil..so it will be temporary...might start looking for a new case..)