Welding a Skeg

[Ken Barber]

I am refurbishing a 1991 140 OMC lower unit, and it needs a skeg. I have a new aluminum skeg, and found the welder that can do the work, but have read that I need to fill the lower unit with water to prevent overheating of the gears while the weld is completed?

My question to the forum is

1. do you agree that you need the water? Would the oil do the same thing and then just change the oil?

1. If water is the choice, any hints on how to drain and dry the unit before refilling with oil?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide

Ken

89 Winner CC
140 Evinrude

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Welding a Skeg

if you do fill it with water then flush it good with acetone. The acetone will dry out the water and evaporates quickly.

 

[freddyray21]

Re: Welding a Skeg

on second though acetone might also eat the seals maybe a bad idea

 

[itsaboattime]

Re: Welding a Skeg

Cabela's offers a replacement skeg that you don't have to weld on and is stainless. should be on their website. Overtons also sells a composite replacement skeg that you don't weld. Heating any patr of you lower unit is flirting with disaster.

 

[arks]

Re: Welding a Skeg

Years ago I had a local welding shop fix the skeg on a 85HP Johnson . He simply wrapped the hub area with a wet towel before welding. No need to drain the oil.
I owned that motor for 3 summers and had it fixed twice that way. No problem if the welder is reasonably careful and knows what he's doing.

 

[dade61782]

Re: Welding a Skeg

Aluminum gets very very hot when being welded and it retains the heat very good, so I would not leave the oil in it. The water is to keep the unit cool and to also keep the welding arc from arcing across the gears.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Welding a Skeg

I personally would just get a skeg gaurd as the welded omne will break on the weld the first time you hit something.

I have welded them before, I am a welder with 22 years experience, and I left the oil in mine fiugring it would disapate heat better.

Just crack the top fill hole to let any pressure out and you should be fine.