Need quick advise on transom plate

[chris0061]

What started out as me taking my boat to a mechanic for a lower shift cable replacement and carb rebuild has turned into new trim switches on a 81 260 mercruiser with the Alpha one gen 1 The mechanic was going to have it done today then call me back and said that the stub on the transom plate were the belows mounts to was chipped and that if I didn't replace it the boot would come off one day and sink the boat. Is this guy just trying to get more money off me or does that bellows mount on the transom plate actually chip? I had another one and took up there and did see the chip in several places but the worse one was chipped back to within about 1/4 inch from the stops if you ran your finger around. Also the bellows had that same impression in it feeling around the inside. The guy broke my scag off and replaced it I was just wondering if he was trying to recoup his money this way or is he just being a top notch mechanic and doing things right?

 

[Don S]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

Chipped or corroded away? Happens all the time from water in the bellows. the edge that holds the bellows clamp is gone. Usually requires a new transom shield.

I was just wondering if he was trying to recoup his money this way or is he just being a top notch mechanic and doing things right?

I would say he was doing his job. If it was because of water in the bellows, that's cause from lack of maintenance. The drive should be pulled yearly at least to inspect things, lube the coupler splined shaft, check alignment, check ujoints and lube them and inspect bellows.Was this done in the past few years?
If not, when you pull the drive to replace an old shift cable is when you find all this fun stuff.
My bet is you aren't finished yet.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

There was nothing known about the boat when I got it. I know it sat for at least 10 years. I've had it out on the river and it didn't leak and ran great till the lower shift cable went out. I did compression test one side even at 148 the port side from 152 to 143 so I think that's good. My neighbor has been telling me about this guy for a couple years now so I thought I'd give him a try and I don't mind fixing it right I just want to make sure that's what he is doing. So saying that would you say that anything else that may need addressed (as you said that that probably wouldn't be the end of it) this guy will find it as it seems he's doing a thurow job or can you tell me what I should be looking for while the engine is out wich it is now sitting in his shop. OH it looked like chips out of it. He did say the bearing was new so whoever had it before must have done that and the belowes looked great and it had the tube exhaust not the belows. There were about four or five chips around the mount.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

Really, I don't have a crystal ball, and I really have no idea what your mechanic sees. Best thing you could do is take some pictures and post them. But to be honest, if you just got the boat, and it set for 10 years and had nothing done to it, and you put it on the water without pulling the drive and doing all the preventive stuff, well, you were lucky your first time out. Now it's going to get expensive.
Your mechanic is probobaly telling you the truth. I have to do this 4 or 5 times a year, and they all think I am out to screw them, till they come in and I show and explain what happend and why.
Then they begin to understand why a cheap boat is not to cheap to own.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

Just thought of something else. Chipped could also come from having the drive tilted all the way up and the steering hard one side or the other. Thus usually causes the ujoints of the outdrive to completly destroy the transomshield and drive. Now, if your drive was up and not turned or who knows what combination, yea, it could be chipped.
Still, go look at it and see what you have.

 

[meesh]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

It's unfortunate but Don is right on. My boat is only a year older than yours. 260 also. When I started to replace the gimbal bearing last fall one thing led to another. Bellows, shift cable, trim senders, coupler, risers. While I had it apart I also resealed the drive, replaced the starter, engine gaskets, found rotten hydraulic lines. The list is endless in a old boat. Hopefully you can do some of it yourself, I did so all I had was parts and time. If you have to pay someone for all of it, it can get very expensive. I hope it works out for you, with some luck hopefully you wont find too much more that is wrong.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

OK got ya. Yeah, if I ever get another project I'll know to take things apart and look things over. I understand about having the drive up and the ujoints tearing things up so I think while he has it I think he's making me safe and go from there. Even when I dropped off my other gimbal ring, shield he said he'd tear it apart and look at it and see if it was OK to put on so you have helped ease my mind and hard lesson learned. Thanks Don.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

As a mechanic... when you start tearing into the transome area it's for 1 of 2 things.
It either ends up being a "minor transom service". Which would be maybe a shift cable, some boots, and a gimbal bearing + alignment.
Or its a "major transom service" And your essentially going through every piece from the transom plate to the drive finding outs whats servicable and what is not.
The first service is expensive... it's alot of work.
the 2nd service is really expensive.... it's alot of work and alot of expensive parts.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

I was lucky enough to run across a 84 mercruiser 260 and every thing from the prop to the fly wheel shortly after I bought this boat so I have all parts and it sounds like this guy is good so I'll call him tomorrow and just make sure he's looking for everything. The repairs right now for pulling the engine and using my parts if there good is 500 bucks so he is not robbing me. I'm just glad that shift cable went out and prompted me to take it to a mechanic. Other wise who knows. Right?

 

[chris0061]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

OK he found more trouble. Now there is two cracks in the block and the manifolds are cracked. I knew about the manifolds and did a temporary patch and no hydro lock when I took it out no water in the oil. So, I can't dump any more money in on this boat with this guy. I am sure the cracks are only on the outside of the block as there is absolutely no water in the oil. My question now is can I clean it real good by grinding along the crack, then soft padding around the crack, clean it good with acetone and JB weld it. I know this isn't the correct way to do it but like I said The money is running out. In my mind it will hold at least for a few months until I get my other engine rebuilt. What ya all think?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

In my mind it will hold at least for a few months until I get my other engine rebuilt

Sounds like you've made up your mind and your looking for somebody to agree with you.

Will it work??? Whenever I give odds on something it's either a 0 chance of working, or 50-50 at best. So for you... 50/50 is what you get for an answer from me.

As a professional I would never epoxy a block for anybody.
But i've done it myself... and i've had luck.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Need quick advise on transom plate

Your a smart man JustJason. I'll take your 50/50 and run with it. I'll let you know how it turns out.