Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

[Ron-O]

Earlier this year I guess I decided to see how bad I could tear up my prop on a sandbar. Well in the process it also took a chunk out of 1 fin and peice of the prop lip on the lower unit. The insurance company ended up sending a check to replace the lower plus a little extra.. My mechanic said if you really had to you could replace the lower but he would run the outdrive until it dies. He said the missing chunk does not affect the drive at all. For me, it more of being OCD and wanting a new lower unit. I showed him the ad for the SEI's and he said no they are chinese and worthless. I could replace the entire outdrive, rams and still have money left for the cost of a Mercruiser Alpha one lower.. I need some suggestions..... Or even would you put $2000 into a boat that was only $3000 when I bought it?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

run it with the chunk missing.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

I second running it till it dies.... but I disagree with your mechanic on the quality of the SEI drives. Very good drives and very inexpensive. Proof that that two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

I agree, run it till it dies. I have an SEI upper sterndrive, works great, if the lower unit ever dies it'll be SEI for me.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

SEI is not Chinese, and they have a 3 YEAR NO FAULT warranty. They work well. The only reason he doesn't like them is because he won't make any money on an overpriced Mercruiser drive.

It's funny that you got an insurance settlement, yet your drive is still perfectly operational? Anyway, I'd run it until it breaks as well. Just don't think that you are entitled to another dime from your insurance carrier if you damage it again (worse).

 

[iconracing]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

take that money to the strip club, run it with the chunk i have the same porblem i have a chunk missing i have no problems

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

take that money to the strip club

Wow...that's a great idea!

 

[Billy Sebrell]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

I got a chunk out of my skeg 8yr ago, it has not effected any handling at all, even at 70mph, it just looks bad. if housing is not leaking oil you are good to go.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

Find a new mechanic.J

 

[Ron-O]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

SEI is not Chinese, and they have a 3 YEAR NO FAULT warranty. They work well. The only reason he doesn't like them is because he won't make any money on an overpriced Mercruiser drive.

It's funny that you got an insurance settlement, yet your drive is still perfectly operational? Anyway, I'd run it until it breaks as well. Just don't think that you are entitled to another dime from your insurance carrier if you damage it again (worse).

Yep, I told the insurance company that it's running fine and they did say that if it was damaged again before the drive was replaced they would not pay.. Of course, I wouldn't expect them to..

With the mechanic, he is a Mercruiser dealer, so that probably has a lot to do with it. For his price on a lower, I could put a complete outdrive from SEI, new rams and have a nice new drive and do it myself.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Replace lower unit, entire unit or forget it?

With the mechanic, he is a Mercruiser dealer, so that probably has a lot to do with it. For his price on a lower, I could put a complete outdrive from SEI, new rams and have a nice new drive and do it myself.

Exactly