Chipped Lower Unit Skeg Needs Reshaping

**Aaronhl** · 01-12-2020, 06:13 PM

The very back edge of a lower unit I have is cracked. I was thinking of cutting it with a grinder wheel to shape it. It would take about 1 inch off from the very bottom and I will try to keep the same basic shape as it comes of the bullet part....What do you guys think??? Is this something you guys do rather than welding or throwing it away?

**rock** · 01-12-2020, 07:10 PM

Be careful shortening the skeg if you are using a surfacing prop.

Rock

**Aaronhl** · 01-12-2020, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by rock

Be careful shortening the skeg if you are using a surfacing prop.

Rock

makes sense...1 inch isnt too much....???

**Aaronhl** · 01-12-2020, 08:04 PM

Click image for larger version.

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**roadkill636** · 01-12-2020, 08:25 PM

Looks like a non coned non surfacing. You'll be ok with it buried deep in the water

**Aaronhl** · 01-12-2020, 08:38 PM

Think I’m gonna put a cone on it

**TEXAS20225** · 01-13-2020, 01:27 AM

dont take it personal i would not spend a dollar on this empty just my experiences in gear case work

**Motv18** · 01-13-2020, 02:31 AM

Epoxy on a skeg guard/protector thing

dubble check on high speed operating though never had one over 50 myself but it ran smooth

**XstreamVking** · 01-13-2020, 07:39 AM

Get another lower/case. Sell that one cheap.

**Whaaaaat** · 01-13-2020, 09:44 AM

If your gonna cone it, then just add some material back to it when you weld the cone and torque tab on. I know welded skegs are taboo on this site but it's so far down the skeg that it shouldn't ever see enough side load to break again, even if it did you'd likely never even notice it

**Aaronhl** · 01-13-2020, 09:58 AM

Thanks for the all the input guys this is why I wanted to post it.

This lower unit appears empty because I took the bearing carrier out of it. I have most of the parts for it. I took it apart because the driveshaft wont spin. I was thinking of taking the driveshaft out to shorten it to 20" and getting the whole unit working again...

This lower unit came off a 135hp mariner I bought for $500 so this lower unit didn't really cost much...

**TEXAS20225** · 01-13-2020, 11:07 AM

depending on how its used maybe your life for those who don't know the back of the skeg is where all the serious voodoo begins!!! there are absolutely hundred's of empty case's available out there Good luck

**Capt.Insane-o** · 01-13-2020, 12:59 PM

Not worth the effort of putting a cone on

**moparbarn** · 01-13-2020, 02:02 PM

Is the possibility of you or a passenger getting hurt or killed REALLY WORTH the cost of an empty l/u housing??

**Whaaaaat** · 01-13-2020, 02:28 PM

My apologies to the OP for mentioning welding, and skeg in the same sentence on this site.
That said. The case is repairable. However it should have paint removed where the case meets the skeg and inspected for cracks. Don't use a wire wheel as steel fragments could imbed in the aluminum causing cracks later.

Here's a picture of a lower that's too far gone