Opinions on a broken L/U bolt...

[Robby321]

88 Force 125 (dogs boat, 28 years old but keeps on chugging along!)) the front starboard bolt broke off inside housing with I doubt any thing to grab onto once I take it off (for water pump) In salt water. I could get it out as a Machinist (retired) but my back in bad shape, and I got enough stuff to do my other toys. Thinking just ignore it and let the other 5 sides and 1 rear fin bolts carry the load. I thought about it and I'm thinking "why not"? All forward torque is pushing up, and little force in reverse, and I don't hot rod it just cruise. I thinking "go for it"

Opinions this? Yep? nope? on the fence?

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[FMP]

If you can get the rest out you might be able to grab what is left of the broken one once the lower is down. Other than drill and extractor .

[58Evinrude]

I'd just drive it as is if you're just cruising it

[flabum1017]

fuk that..... get it back on, weld what you can and worry about the rest later

[Robby321]

OK, L/U off now. And sure as chit nothing to grab as (I been around the block this many times life) and its the way life works..never "easy"

My take this so far (as waiting parts..see my other post.."did a dumb") I'll grind it smooth, center punch and start with a left hand reverse drill, and see where I get. Or simple as 5/16ths bolt now, drill it out F drill ..(13/64ths fine as only 2 thou bigger) and tap it for 1/4 bolt. I have all this stuff too. 1/4 better than nothing. To me its not that damn critical as this aint no race boat and in runs and floats?..I win! My IL6 Flatty a diff story as no "redneck" it, as can kill ya doing stipid.

FMP? drills and extractor? NEVER! I been the "EZ out "trick" and when break off as very hard, but brittle? Screw that drill stuff. At work broken off was set up EDM machine and burnt out. But I do have to try a trick first as get the "red and green" out, torch the witch to melt salt, SS and Alum corrosion, then start a left hand drill bit (and RUN IT IN REVERSE as seen some doing it clockwise and wondering why getting nowhere) then see whats next. Pic the broke bolt. On the right.

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[Robby321]

fuk that..... get it back on, weld what you can and worry about the rest later

HA! Thats my take as its 28 years old, I'm 66, and gonna change oil, new pump on (see my "dumb post" coming as a eye opener me on "water pumps" but be a bit there) and yep, last L/U off it me, as got WAY payback more than what bought for, and damn sure got my bucks worth!. Plus I can really go redneck it and get a 2 inch C-Clamp and make a spacer my lathe between the housing front fin, and anti vent plate lower! Let it sit saltwater and will never let go!

[FMP]

Look at it this way, you probably needed the exercise anyway.

[Robby321]

Look at it this way, you probably needed the exercise anyway.

Yep! I AM getting lazy! I'll be working on it today as waiting pump parts anyway! (and on the EDM at work, it was used mostly broken taps!)

[racervboat]

that salty force aint worth the effort the broken bolt missing will not effect it one bit even if you beat the snot out of it.

[Robby321]

that salty force aint worth the effort the broken bolt missing will not effect it one bit even if you beat the snot out of it.

Yep, as I'm waiting for it finally give up the ghost but boat still runs fine after all this time. I DAMN sure got my bucks worth out it long ago. I'm going to go at it today after grind smooth, center punch and a drill for 1/4 SS bolt tap (13/64ths or F drill fine) then do the red and green at it. I'll try a EZ out (I hate those things but sometimes work without breaking off). If no out. Fuc it and do the rest on and silicone the hole close to keep out salt. I'll have to go though all my buckets SS bolts and put new in too. I never reuse SS bolts in the App, as stressed once? Toss'em.

[FMP]

Oh no, not that, not the 4 stroke!

[flabum1017]

You can always weld a piece of angle to the lower unit to meet the spray plate on the mid then through bolt them together :D

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[Robby321]

You can always weld a piece of angle to the lower unit to meet the spray plate on the mid then through bolt them together :D

347474

I already thought that! But even easier is to cutout clearance some the front fins and drill and tap LU and upper (thick meat both), strap it a cut piece Alum which I have here, and bolt it up! Hey if I can make this into this, all hand made brackets and all built me, this is a piece of cake! I like designing and building chit way more that "buying it". Dragbike built stated 1990, and still here in the shop!

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[90 5.0]

Wouldn't all that other crap be harder and more effort than just getting the bolt out??

[Robby321]

Wouldn't all that other crap be harder and more effort than just getting the bolt out??

Aint got that far yet...I simple like to "think out the box" a easier way. If its made., bet I could improve on it! I got a problem of "I got a better easier way"! Plus when SS and Alum salt? Corrode to one solid piece. Aint the first time my life dealt with this me, as others helping. Nothing I can't "fix" anyway...(if I get off my lazy ass and do it!)

[J.R.]

take a piece of modeling clay and build a damn around the bolt hole.then get u some "ALUM" and put in the hole.if the bolt was SS the Alum will eat the bolt away,and not hurt the aluminum.u can also use "Nitric" acid.it too will eat the high carbon out.

[W2F a V-King]

Or just JB weld the LU to the mid and let it eat!! :eek:

JK..Got to love salt water motors...

James

[Robby321]

Been running it all summer zero probs. As one the front bolts no worried as motor torques it up anyway. I sealed it all up anyway, and soon forgotten about. Gotta admit, as motor and boat 28 years old now? STILL "does the job"? Best "does everything all around boat, and bet the old witch out last ME"! Yeah its a Bayliner/Force, but one the best damn boats I EVER owned!

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[flabum1017]

take a piece of modeling clay and build a damn around the bolt hole.then get u some "ALUM" and put in the hole.if the bolt was SS the Alum will eat the bolt away,and not hurt the aluminum.u can also use "Nitric" acid.it too will eat the high carbon out.
you mean this stuff? 354047

[J.R.]

yes ,this is the stuff/hydrated potassium aluminum sulfate KAL(SO4)2-12H2O!!