R&R Jack Plate Help

[InjectorService]

Can someone help me figure out whats going on with this R&R plate? It came on the boat I bought recently. The top holes have a plate screwed on, that has a gap in it where the motor mounts. That gap has been allowed to crush closed. I don't know if something here is just setup wrong that has allowed that, or if it has been caused by over torqueing the engine bolts.

Also where do you guys source your jack plate hardware/what grade do you use. I'm sure I can get something out of Merc or someone, but there has to be a cheaper alternative. This hardware was all rusted and mismatched.

Thanks



https://i.postimg.cc/tJW2qV3d/20211211-100806.jpg (https://postimg.cc/30rg9NbW)


https://i.postimg.cc/T2DkqBzy/20211211-100821.jpg (https://postimg.cc/5jfqfKN1)


https://i.postimg.cc/xCk6ZZq4/20211211-100829.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Q93g90QQ)


https://i.postimg.cc/ZR1wzLdK/20211211-101029.jpg (https://postimg.cc/gXHVv8sf)

[David - WI]

I buy almost all of my stainless & ARP stuff from https://www.allensfasteners.com/default.asp
The site is little bit of a pain to navigate but they usually have what I'm looking for.

[CI STV]

Can’t help you with solving that obvious “design flaw” (if that’s what it is), except to say that it looks like that additional plate was added to get a level surface in the corner of the bracket where it’s rounded. Personally , I’d probably toss it unless you’re not using it for a heavy, high powered application.
EDIT: I would suggest replacing the small bent plate with some very thick washers or another plate that’s like 3/8-1/2 thick, so it won’t bend when you clamp it down, and then use longer bolts.
As for hardware, I use ARP stainless, since it’s much stronger materiel than the standard THE stainless hardware. I found that out the hard way when I galled one of the nylock nuts (stupidly mocked it up without using antisieze) when I was assembling my transom bracket, and ended up having to use a long tube to wring the damn bolt iff to get it removed, since it kept eating the damn hacksaw blades that I tried using in it.
I like how the 12 point fasteners look anyhow…
497933

[OnPad]

I have the same plate with a 2.5 mounted on it. Just looked it over and mine has no damage. Like CI STV said you can replace the small plate. Watch you torque spec on stainless. It will lock up if you overtighten, or use a impact, and you will be cutting them off.