Transom Rebuild

[jimranger]

I would like to toss the 3.8 OMC stringer drive for a 5.7 litre mercruiser. What is the best and strongest method to accomplish filling the hole in the transom.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Transom Rebuild

Jim, If it were me, I would pull the OMC motor and drive, cut a solid piece of lumber to fill the entire hole, and then fiberglass it in. If you have room on the interior, cover the filled piece with a piece of plywood, larger then the hole and glass and screw it in. Also, I would use a plate joiner and beechwood "Biscuts" to add strength to the joint. Now you can cut the new hole for the Merc outdrive and I would epoxy the edges of the hole to keep the water out.

 

[endless summer]

Re: Transom Rebuild

Jim2004, If you rebuild your transom I would be interested in buying the exhaust manifolds off of your 3.8. I have a 3.8 stringer drive and cannot find exhaust anywhere.

 

[achris]

Re: Transom Rebuild

Jim,<br /><br />I have a vague memory, back in the dimmer parts of the gray matter, that Merc sell an adaptor plate that bolts straight into the stringer drive hole and the Mercruiser bolts up to it.<br /><br />I could be wrong....<br /><br />Chris............

 

[Bondo]

Re: Transom Rebuild

"I could be wrong...."<br />I Think You Are................... This Time ...... <br />Don't use Solid Wood...........<br />Plywood is Much Stronger............<br /><br />I've done 2 of these in recent memory....<br />2 more to do This year........<br />Cut Plywood plugs,+ Epoxy them into place, building up to the 2"s required for the Merc. transom plates........<br />I've Also been using a Fiberglass "Hole" piece, cut out of a Junk boat transom, for the outer "Skin"........<br />This gives me a nice Pattern to cut out the New Hole..........