And the Hits Just Keep On Comin! Cracked prop hub housing

[C.C.Hiliner]

438049

I dunno Guys,

It must be "My Year" for gearcases, I seem to be going through them like toilet paper. After replacing the Gearcase on my 200 OceanPro with the help of Tinbanger, Instigator and a distinguished eclectic consortium of other members here, I thought I'd turn my attention to my sterndrive boat (the one with wifey's toilet in it) and start refinishing the hull.

As I was blocking up the trailer, I found this :eek:...The boat has been laid up for about 5 years, and it runs great. It was stored with the drive down, so no water collected in it. It was in freshwater the last time I ran it.

The crack seems to be cosmetic, because it ends a good portion forward of the propshaft seal. No leaks, it just looks like Hell, and it wasn't there when I laid up the boat, I have never hit anything with this drive since I bought it new in '98. Yes, I used it in saltwater, but never left it in more than a weeks vacation. When I was running it, I refinished it annually it with the rattle cans, hence the donky surface protection.

Anyway, my point is, I've going to repair it, but I know there are two schools of thought...Epoxy or Welding, I would like to weld it, but I don't want to hand it over to some Torch Monkey I don't know, who claims he can weld aluminum, and then he bakes all my O-rings and seals....:nonod:

I know some of you guys have dealt with stuff like this (cracks), and would like to hear your suggestions.

Thanks!

[BOATMANBLUES]

that is extremely common problem ..mostly on jap gearcases run in saltwater...corrosion builds between the carrier and case until it cracks the case...at that point it's a very common to not be able to remove the carrier without destroying the case...I used to weld them as is the best you can,and run it till it pukes... keep an eye out for a good clean case...you can chop apart the crudy one,salvage the parts and jam them in the good case...the problem now is finding clean uncracked housings...

[eli]

don't think your welding that

[Chaz]

This don't look that bad ... :nonod: I've fixed worse .. :)

https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=438049&d=1557156443&thumb=1 (https://www.screamandfly.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=438049&d=1557156443)

Chaz = thinkin the following is where ya ****** yourself ... ;)



some Torch Monkey

[C.C.Hiliner]

Chaz - I didn't say all welders were "Torch Monkeys", I was just afraid of running into to some Jack-Leg in my area who claimed he could do it (when he's never done it before) and he hoses something up. There are no shortages of Jack-Legs in my area, that will tell you anything to make a buck.

Its the guys like you who have fixed stuff like this that are hard to find.

I've gotten a wide range of adivce on this. Some of the Mercruiser guys have told me to scrap the case, others say not to weld it.
I have to check and see if there are bearing carrier threads inside the torpedo housing.
The Merc guys say the Alpha and bravos have them, but not so sure about mine. Thats why the MercCruiser guys and BoatmanBlues are against welding it
I just replaced the gearca$e on my OB, so I really want to repair this if I can.

[BOATMANBLUES]

CC
I'm not against welding it ...I have welded dozens of them..but...it's a temporary fix for the most part...the prop torque eventually will wallow the carrier in the case,a big chunk pops out,and then it leaks at the orings, fills with saltwater and you lose the whole mess....so...weld it the best you can,but keep an eye out for a good case....even if it don"t break,the next time it needs a seal replaced ,you probably ain't gonna get it apart...

[Motv18]

I can see welding it, but after you clean up the corrosion and check roundness. It could be close to shot.

Just more hope hope for the best expect the worst.

[Instigator]

That things junk.

Thats a thin casting and w/that much corrosion....., you’re screwed.
A weld will never hold there.

[flabum1017]

Volvo or OMC?

Epoxy won't hold that at all, all the side thrust from the prop is pushing against the housnig right there. I'd find someone who does T-Tops/Towers, they usually are good welders. The right way is to pull the prop carrier, but that looks like it will be a challenge, so best bet is weld it as is and get a few more years out of it while watching craigslist for a good replacement.....

[flabum1017]

And BTW, if that is an OMC Cobra with the sea pump on the back of the drive, you probably won't find a replacement in good shape, might consider looking for a Volvo Penta SX drive and transom assemby.... it will bolt right in..... just need a longer shift cable and a seapump kit to mount on the engine.

[Capt.Insane-o]

The carriers on sx drives aren't exceptionally strong at the propshaft end. It will eventually flex and crack the housing even more.

[SS Minnow]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/c7/a4/35c7a4addc7bcae4a5519b2f5cad021b.gif

[C.C.Hiliner]

Yeah, Its a 98 Volvo SX drive, Bought it new in 98. 350 V-8, Flabum (Raw water pump is engine mounted in the boat)

I intend to run the boat in freshwater for a few more years after I refinish it, so if I can patch this old case until it take a serious dump, I'll try it,.

At least the corrosion won't keep going.

I just don't have the $ right now to spring for a new lower case. (Its hard to find just an empty one)

[Instigator]

If you remove to weld which is mandatory....., the housing will distort and doubtful the carrier would go back in.
The casting is so thin there as well, that the weld would will likely leave slag on the inside bore of the housing that would need to be machined out also.

Lots of time and $$ for it to fail first time out.

Save your $$ and find a good used unit or look at SEI.
I am way impressed by them.




Volvo or OMC?

Epoxy won't hold that at all, all the side thrust from the prop is pushing against the housnig right there. I'd find someone who does T-Tops/Towers, they usually are good welders. The right way is to pull the prop carrier, but that looks like it will be a challenge, so best bet is weld it as is and get a few more years out of it while watching craigslist for a good replacement.....

[C.C.Hiliner]

I just checked with SEI, Gary - They don't offer Volvo SX lowers (yet), only MercCruiser).
They were very good to me though. I bought an SEI case for my OceanPro, before Tinbanger1979 offered me a Magnum for less money.
SEI were great folks and took their LU right back for a full refund (I never installed it, kept it in the box).

I think this boat will be on the hard for awhile, until I can find a lower for this drive. Its sad and frustrating, because this drive has very good to me, and has never given me any trouble the 21 years I've owned it, it's always run terrific.

[H2OPERF]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/35/c7/a4/35c7a4addc7bcae4a5519b2f5cad021b.gif
looks like he had the ground clamp on a trim line..

[flabum1017]

Try calling these guys, maybe they got a housing: powerhouse marine 305 892 2628

[SS Minnow]

looks like he had the ground clamp on a trim line..

That makes sense, I was wondering why there was dripping fire so soon at the transom. And that smoke, yep, hydraulic line.

Good luck to you.

[eli]

Happens quicker than your ready for