Lower unit housing crack

[RJDAWSON]

I have discovered a crack in the lower unit housing of my 1980 J70ELCSA.
It is in the thin rear vertical portion above the gear case and the prop. I found it while flushing the motor at the end of vacation. Water was flushing through this vertical crack in the casting. I do not see any water in the gear case oil.
Can this crack be tig welded shut with aluminum rod?
Or is this the end of this lower unit?
ZEKE/440

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Lower unit housing crack

Could you post a pic of this crack, so that others can see it? It also depends on the skill of the welder that you find. Used rebuilt lu's are readily available on ebay, as an option.

 

[RJDAWSON]

Re: Lower unit housing crack

I am a tig welder and have no problem welding it, I don't know if it will fix it. Has anyone ever tried this?
I'll try to get a picture and post it.
ZEKE/440

 

[mikesea]

Re: Lower unit housing crack

A picture would greatly help,but,if water is coming out when flushing, I would bet your gearcase is not in jeoperdy because the water passages dont go through the gearcase,I/ have had many gearcases welded for many reasons,hecavitation plates,skegs are no problem,the cases themselves (bullit)had mixed results.If you are a tig welder,surely you can do it,,again I would like to kow exactly where the problem is

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Lower unit housing crack

Being a welder you would probably know more than most, especially me, but TIG welding (with argon) and filling and painting is what is normally done I believe.