Johnson VRO 140 HP lower unit

[access13]

Hi,

I have a Johnson VRO 140 HP outboard and I broke the gearcase on a stone. Only the little "wing" below the prop is broken. I have no oil leak and the engine is working well.

I want to remove the lower unit and go to a machineshop with it. I have a pretty good machineshop near me and they told me they can weld a new wing. They said that but they need the exact dimension of the wing.

Somebody can help me ?

Is it true they can weld it ?

I know the gearcase is very expensive and if it's possible to fix my old one i will be very happy !

[Forkin' Crazy]

Hi and welcome, access 13. I think what you are refering to is called a skeg. A marine dealer should be able to order (or may have in stock) a replacement skeg. If you are not racing or surfacing the prop, a weld on replacement is fine, but if you are racing, it could break and the results could be catastrophic.

The machine shop should be able to jig it up, so it would be as straight as possible. If you cannot find a replacement skeg, let me know, and I can give you a phone number of some one who can.

:)

[access13]

Hi Forkin' Crazy,

You're absolutely right. It's a skeg that i need ! Sorry for my english. I'm french and it was a little hard for me to explain my trouble.

I'm not racing with my boat but i want to have the best for it. At 55 M/H I don't want to have trouble.

Please tell me which way is the best. If it's a stainless steel one or an aluminum one, i want to know where i can buy it. I'm french canadian (i'm sorry...) and of course if you can suggest me a company near me it's gonna be easier for me.

If you suggest a replacement one could you explain to me how i can install it ? Do i have to weld it ?

Again thank you very much. Nobody where i live realy knows how to repair the "skeg"

[Forkin' Crazy]

You weld it on (aluminum). The guy that does it around here mills the old one off, jigs up, and welds the new one on.

I am way south of you and do not know of any dealers in Canada. Your local dealer or shop should have one or a catalog to order one out of. Worse come to worse, I know of a guy you can order one from here. BTW, You should be safe at 55 mph.

Good luck.

[access13]

Again thank you for your precious help.

Can you give me the name of the company near you where I can buy one ?

Maybe they can shipped one to me with my credit card number or they can give me the name of the company who made them. With the name of this company i will try to find a canadian dealer for it.

Regards

[action20]

would i be absolutley crazy to weld a skeg on a boat that exceeded 80mph ???

in some cases aren't welds stronger than the original ???

i know they weld drive shafts ??

don't wat to be in the local paper for a boatin accident either it is just a question ??

[Ranger305]

On the same subject, anyone know anyone in Middle TN that can do this without costing a fortune? The skeg on my 85hp is broken.

[Forkin' Crazy]

Sorry for the delay. You can try Bayou Marine Supply for the skeg. Although I am sure there must me some one closer, but they can get and ship one to you. 318-345-1731.

Action20, I have posed this question to this board too. I was advised against it. If the skeg breaks at speed the prop will make the boat go sideways, and then who knows. I'm not willing to take this chance. Although I do know a guy that has one welded up on a 280 Merc that will do over 100mph. It hasn't broken yet.

:)

[ryantrip]

west marine........www.westmarine.com

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