Pics of cracked Lower Housing

[Se2002]

Can this be repaired? Should it be replaced. Is it serious???

I have this boat thanks to my uncle and it's my first. Nothing in life is free!!!

Its a 1987 Sea Ray 18.5', with the Mercruiser 170/V6.

Got Crack?

Close Up

Stern Drive Shot

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Welcome to iboats SE. I'm no casting expert here but I would seek some real professional advise on that one. It's location would make me think that it is in a high stress area.(not impact related) Not sure what is on the other side of it and how it might be affected by welding.

There are members who are involved in the industry. Hopefully they will weigh in. Sometimes Saturdays are not a good time to get a response.

BTW, good on ya to have added the closeup. I looked earlier and could hardly see what you were talking about. Good digital pics go a long way to getting good help and advice here.

 

[Se2002]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Okay, I'll give this one a bump on Monday.

Can't guess how this happened, we stayed in 30-50 foot deep areas just cruising between 20-35 mph and never felt any hits, but I am pretty sure that crack was not there when we left the house this morning.

Doing some searching, that part, refurbished (no internals) runs about $800. Wow. With internals its about $1,200. I'm glad I kept my canoe...

BTW, thanks for the reply. Even with the problem, the wife and I can't wipe the grins off our face from the great time we had.

 

[lime4x4]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

or u can get a complete lower unit with a 3 year warranty from sei for around 700 bucks

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

It's not in a water or oil jacket there. I think I would sand the paint off of it, fill the crack with some liquid steel, file and sand it back into shape on both side where it's uniform and not laid over to the right. Then prime and paint it.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

$700? Do they sell used units?

I know their new ones are about $1300....

 

[cabsales1]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

I wouldnt worry about a new one quit yet! I would do just like Real Poor has advised use liquid steel of some sort (I like the brand JB Weld myself) or better yet go and get it welded. I've never seen one cracked like this one before but you have no lower gear unit grease or anything leaking out and what do you have to lose in trying a fix before a replacement. P.S. if you weld it there is a rubber seal inside not very far away I would weld it quick and put water on it right away to keep the heat from transfering threw the aluminum and hurting the seal.

 

[licketdsplit756]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

what i did was use METAL TO METAL found it in a hardware store. ran my boat 4 yrs like that before i sold it. worked well and never came off. there is also insta weld we use on are tractors for minor repairs like that. doest look as it is that bad where it has damaged anything. i think you will be suprised how well that stuff works. welding is the other option. stronger

 

[delsol]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

i am not expert , but i used to live in fla and the guy i renting a house from used that j.b on all kinds of things. as a guy trained in welding you need to find out if the heat is going to hurt it..heat may make it worse by doing damage to your boat

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

$700? Do they sell used units?

I know their new ones are about $1300....

$1300 is the whole drive - $700 for a lower unit which is all that is affected by this crack

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

I'd think about replacing the lower - that crack is in the area of a curve and a fillet (stress raisers) and is right where you would expect it to crack if it was overloaded. Which, usually means, it was overloaded. It's like the housing is trying to spread open, and it did.

With the above advice, I'm assuming the crack goes through radially - towards the prop?
Or, does it go horizontal - to the other side of the web?

Can't tell from the pic - take the prop off.

 

[Se2002]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Thanks to all for repling and welcoming a newcomer.

As for the prop removal, is that just a matter of turning the prob nut and pulling the prop off? Once I get it off, I'll get some more shots of the inside.

Thanks again, and please stay tuned...

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Yep, pull the cotter pin, un-screw the nut while holding the prop..

 

[Don S]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

No cotter pins on Mercs.
Just UN-bend the tabs of the tab washer, that are bent down into the notches in the ring that keeps the nut from turning. Then unscrew the nut..... 1-1/16" socket.

 

[Se2002]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Wonderful! At work now, I will try this tonight and get some shots up!

 

[Ro-Tator]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Good luck with it. Can't wait to see some more pics.

 

[Se2002]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

More Pics, the best I could do. I have a better feeling now that I see what is inside. Uncle thinks that I may have had the trim too high during docking.

Hard to see my crack

My crack looks big from this angle (haha)

My other boat!!!

 

[jmills224]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Did you strike something with your prop? Looking at the first and second pic it appears your hub has rubbed from the 3 o-clock to 6 o-clock position. Also, in pic 4 it looks like the housing is egged.

If I were to bet money. I would place it on that stress crack running further than it has already. Get it looked at by a professional!

~J

 

[Se2002]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

mills,

I can honestly say, that I don't remember hitting anything. We were in pretty deep lake water the entire time.

Looking more carfully it appears that the prop shaft is supported by an internal support by which is held in place with the lower frame. I certainly believe it will grow over time with vibration and the normal stresses of forces subjected to that area. Looking for new lower...

 

[Se2002]

Re: Pics of cracked Lower Housing

Going to try and get it welded. I was going to go the liquid steel but I don't have much faith in it given the amount of stress that area is subjected to.

Where is the rubber seal you guys speak of?