Should I replace the whole lower unit?

[Billys Barge]

What should I do? I'm not sure if I need to replace the lower drive, how hard would it be to just swap out the internal parts into another case/shell? The prop is bent a little and I'll send it off to be fixed but I dont know what to so bout the fins that were on the lower drive. could I just build a new fin and bolt it to the lower? I don't want to go broke fixing this thing but new lowers are at least $1300 and the drive seemed to work fine after it happened I only drove about a half mile to the dock but I didnt notice anything wrong.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

You can buy new aftermarket lower units off EBay for around $845 plus freight.

A large marine engine rebuilder out of Tampa is casting new lower units, and they come with a 3 year warranty. Many dealers are brokering them--being delivered directly from Tampa.

You can spend $700 for a good used lower unit. In buying a lower unit, you never know if they are fresh water units, and they've got to be pressure tested for leaks in the seals. Lower unit parts are extremely expensive when purchased at franchised dealerships.

You don't want to price a new lower unit from a dealership--outrageous.

 

[Billys Barge]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

Thanks, I just relized I posted this under the wrong topic.. Should have been under Mercruiser. $845 is not bad alot less that the $1800 the dealer said they "start" at.

 

[wired247]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

But if you don't buy it from your dealer you are costing them $1000. How can you live with yourself.

 

[Billys Barge]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

I guess I'll have to spend the $1000 I saved on therapy...... hahaha

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

If the pic shows the extent of the damage then how about having somebody weld some aluminum plate onto it or get a used lower unit from a blown motor?

 

[wired247]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

Same lower as an inline merc right? Buy a cheap used inline merc lower and swap shafts.

Is that damage caused by a whaletail?

 

[tim gore]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

try texas outboards (buy on line)

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

Try a full service prop shop. You may have to, or they will, gut the LU to protect seals and all, but they do that kind of repair and skegs. To them it's not much different than repairing an alum prop...it gets prepared, welded, ground to the correct dimensions, and painted. Really doubt that you will blow $500 on the job and not be able to tell from new.

This time, I'd leave the Whales Tale off and get some trim tabs if you are stern heavy.

Mark

 

[Billys Barge]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

I'm not sure what parts drives can be inter changed, the prop shop I talked to said he can fix it for $150 to $250 I'll have to bring him my prop any way. Some other members on here have agreed that the hydrofoil that was on there is what caused the problem and the guy that repairs them knew right away it was a Mercury he said they are thin in that area. So Merc+hydro foil= bad idea. I am taking the advise I have received and will be investing in trim tabs.

 

[Dave1027]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

When I saw the pic I though somebody backed into something or maybe got something caught between the plate and prop. Never saw a hydrofoil do something to that extent. I could see cracking the plate but not completely ripping both sides off and damaging the prop too.

 

[n8ve1]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

Hello all, I have a similar problem with my lower gear case. The back of the cavitation plate, where the anode is broke off, can i still run the motor? I was thinking of making a plate out of aluminum about the same size of the plate and bolting it underneath, since there seems to be holes from a former hydrofoil. I'll try to post a pic of my break.

PS: Im new to this forum and to boating, just bought a 1992 Searay 160 with a 115 Merc.

 

[n8ve1]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

Ok here is picture of my lower gear case. It should show that the cavitation plate is broken right in the middle of where the anode goes.

As mentioned, I'm thinking of using an aluminum plate bolted to the bottom of the cavitation plate to make it whole, sort of a mini hydofoil. What do you all think?

Or should I just steel putty weld it back together?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Should I replace the whole lower unit?

Ok here is picture of my lower gear case. It should show that the cavitation plate is broken right in the middle of where the anode goes.

As mentioned, I'm thinking of using an aluminum plate bolted to the bottom of the cavitation plate to make it whole, sort of a mini hydofoil. What do you all think?

Or should I just steel putty weld it back together?
View attachment 165256
View attachment 165257

That would be a walk in the park for a prop shop to fix. No need to gut the LU to fix that one so it should comparable in price to having an alum prop fixed.

Mark