Weld 3.0L Sportmaster split driveshaft?

[PORT]

Hey guys

I was having the Taylor bearing upgrade installed on my 3.0L 20" Sportmaster and the mechanic found under the water pump that the lower driveshaft (split driveshaft setup), was pitted/rotted. These shafts are steel with some type of chrome coating, I guess they use steel instead of stainless for its strength. Unbelievable, it was a fresh water motor, not a pit mark anywhere on her except the driveshaft.
Can you put a weld on that portion and spin it down?
The Mercury price just for the lower driveshaft is over a thousand $$.

Thanks
Frank

[Todd D]

Mercury has a one piece stainless replacement that is $263. #19 on the link below

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show_Pictures3.asp?dnbr=855529007&ivar=images/COMMON/3993.png&inbr=13021&bnbr=270&bdesc=Gear+Housing%28Drive%29+Standard%2FCounter+Rotation%2DSportmaster

[time warp]

You can get them welded with stainless and turned back down, but you will still have a two piece shaft, the one piece shaft is cheaper and the seals will last longer as there is less play in the shaft putting side loading on the seals.
I have a 2 piece shaft on my spare gearcase as that makes it easier to haul around in the truck when I travel with the boat but the gearcases on my boat have been upgraded with the one piece shaft.

[Skater 32]

Can there be any strength issues with one piece stainless shaft ?

[time warp]

Non of the boats up here in the northwest have had any driveshaft problems with the one piece shaft, it's a winner from the factory, seems like the only improvement Mercury has made on the 3.0 litre Sportmasters since their inception. Mercury quit using the two piece shaft quite a few years ago, the last couple of years of the 300x and all the 20" 300XS's have the one piece driveshaft. I'm not sure if all the 25" motors use the one piece shaft or not. I know that the longer X's had a lower Rev limit due to the flexing of the longer driveshaft, not sure if it was 2 piece though.

[Skater 32]

Thank you!! I remember back in the day when I was running loopers some years had once piece shaft that had and issue of shearing and then OMC went to 2 piece shaft , I think I have that right