Transom Plate leak

[weatherz]

Hello, I am hoping somebody can answer a few questions I have. My 454-Alpha one is leaking from the bottom of the transom plate, I'm assuming the o-ring type seal is bad from the outdrive bouncing on the shore during a windy trip to the lake. I have eliminated the bellows from being at fault. My question is Can I remove the transom plate without pulling the motor? Also do I have to remove the bellhousing in order to remove the transom plate? And any other ideas on changing the o-ring seal would help tremendously. I can't seem to find any how to's on the internet for this job. Thanks

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Transom Plate leak

Since the transom plate is also the rear motor mount,you do have to remove the engine.<br /><br />I doubt you have damaged the 'o-ring'.though.<br /><br />I suspect you've stretched the transom bolts,or compressed the hull thickness.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Don S]

Re: Transom Plate leak

No, you have to remove the engine. It's the only way to get to the 4 bolts that hold the exhaust Y on, plus, the inner transom shield is what holds up the back of the engine. And the bolts that hold the inner transom plate on also hold the outer transom shield to the transom.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Transom Plate leak

My 454-Alpha one is leaking from the bottom of the transom plate,

My Guess is we're talking about a late 80s boat ?????????<br />

or compressed the hull thickness.

That's My guess........ <br />

I can't seem to find any how to's on the internet for this job.

• <br />
• Remove Outdrive...<br />Remove Engine...<br />Remove Inner Transom Plate...<br />Remove Transom Shield/Gimbel Housing assembley...<br />Repair Transom....<br />Reinstall in reverse order......<br />

<br /> Of Course,<br />This is the Condenced Version..... <br /><br />Good Luck... You've just found that great winter project you've been looking for......

 

[johnkc]

Re: Transom Plate leak

rotton transom, bondo is right, good winter project.take a small ball peen hammer and lightly tap around on the transom starting at the area around the drain plug fitting.and listen to the pitch of the sound.then progressivly move to the top of the transom around the gimbal hsg.a dead sound indicates rot .a solid tap sound indicates better/good wood.good luck.

 

[weatherz]

Re: Transom Plate leak

Thanks for the input guys. My boat is a 1987 23' fourwinns sundowner, never seen saltwater and always trailered. Is transom rot or compression all that common? It is a really solid boat and well maintained. Is there anything else I could check before embarking on my winter project?<br />Thanks again

 

[Bondo]

Re: Transom Plate leak

never seen saltwater and always trailered.

I'm refitting a 1973 that was in Saltwater All it's life..........<br />No Rot, No Where.......<br />The Saltwater Pickles the wood.......<br />Freshwater Rots it Out.....<br />Even on the wagon, rainwater will Rot them out.....<br />You can try the hammer trick that John mentions.....<br />You could Icepick it from the inside.....<br />You could Drill test holes on the inside.......<br /><br />I Seriously Doubt you're going to find alot of Good News....<br />

Is transom rot or compression all that common?

Ayah.......<br />Wander on over to the Restoration Forum.......<br />You can spend Days reading the archives.....<br /><br />Good Luck....

 

[murphini]

Re: Transom Plate leak

I posted a similar post on "Restoration and Boat Topics Forums" for my 89 VIP w/Cobra outdrive. http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=010524 Same deal, always trailered, stored inside, etc.<br /><br />Noticed some water in during season, when taking to winterize my guy showed me he could move the outdrive and transom would "flex" a bit. Water probably coming in around where it seals.<br /><br />He is taking out engine tonight to (hopefully) find that the bolts are loose and gasket it bad, or (maybe more realistically) that there is some transom rot. Knocking sounded ok, but he said one area sounded more hollow.<br /><br />I'll post what I learn--would be interested in any similar stories..I've got one reply so far that was rot related...

 

[murphini]

Re: Transom Plate leak

good news on my leak--see post above--my boat guy pulled the engine out and found 4 of the transom bolts loose, 2 were very loose where he was able to do a few turns on them which tightened it back up.<br /><br />Good luck...

 

[Don S]

Re: Transom Plate leak

They are "Nyloc" nuts and usually rusty. The only way they could get loose is if the material they were tightened against went away (aka "wood rot").<br />Tightening them is only a bandaid fix and the leak will return. Time to get the transom replaced. Just did this on mine, and it's no fun and it's not cheap.

 

[eyezaiah]

Re: Transom Plate leak

Don is right about the no fun and it's not cheap.<br />I did find a way to stomp out wood rot from my transom. I didn't even have to remove the outdrive or motor. check out this site: www.rotdoctor.com I took a chance an it payed off big time. would have cost me anywhere from 1000-2000 dollars depending on how much rot had taken place. This stuff works like it said it would. I removed so much rot that I ended up using the filler to fill the void that was left. I was able to re-drill a new bolt hole through this stuff and I know its stronger than new. Awesome!!!! I have a 83 Bayliner Capri volvo 270 leg and AQ125A motor. I even tried a this stuff on the floor where the wood had dry rotted with some fiberglass cloth. Strongest part of the floor now on my boat. I must say for once I bought a product that stood up to what it was made for not just another waste of money. Make sure you check out the how to's on transom repair.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Transom Plate leak

Did your boat guy Realign the engine/outdrive ???????<br />By tightening the bolts, the angle/alignment has Changed.....<br />Serious Damage Will result........ When, is the only question.......<br /><br />Unfortunately, I don't see much Good News.......