REWARD - Missing portion of lower unit

[Sean]

Alright, long, painful story short…. We hit a rock and instead of lifting the engine, my buddy was driving (thank god it was not me driving, at least I have some one to blame :)) gave it gas to try and get off the rock! :o At first it just seemed that the prop was disintegrate, I mean we were only on stubs, but after close examination @ the ramp it looks like we are missing about 25% of the skeg and exposing some of the internal threads of the lower unit. The engine ran fine, taking in to consideration the lack of a prop, so I am hoping it is just an external issue. We actually fished the biggest school of blues I have ever seen up in the bay after it happened.
I know I have to have it look @ but I was wondering if anyone can give me a heads up on the torture I have to look forward to. :'(

Anybody got a lower unit for a 96 150 mariner? Figured I ask… ;)

Thanks in advance!!

[Mac_Attack]

When I first got my boat, I did the same thing. On the test run hit a rock needed a new prop and lower unit rebuild, on a Force 150. Cost to repair both in 2004 and in Michigan $1200. Good Luck Billy Mac


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v130/Machockey/death003-2.jpg

[sfprovyn]

IF it's not leaking and the oil drain hole is not damaged, I would just stick another prop on it. They can take a lot of abuse. If the shaft is bent and it starts to vibrate a little then you can put on a four blade prop which might balance it out. If it still vibrates then I would get a new shaft but if it holds fluid and the guts are still in it then I would continue to run it and screw on a skeg guard...frank

[whopper55]

If you need one. Try Budget Boats in Chesapeake,Va.757-5437595. They are a junk yard for Boats and Motors. Sell all sorts of used and rebuilt parts. They have web site also.

[Blue_Runner]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1990s-mercury-mariner-o-b-lower-unit-150-175-hp_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ50439QQihZ018QQitemZ 280024607534QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
http://i1.ebayimg.com/06/i/08/3b/a8/a9_1.JPG
#1 I don't even know if it would fit, and #2 its kinda expensive (but what options do you have?)
and #3 its in California.

:-/

[Airslot]

Don't know where your at but my neighbor is a Merc dealer. Might be able to scrape up a used LU>

Airslot

[Sean]

I think the internal of the shaft is alright, its the exposed threads that are making me nervous,
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/70620e7b.jpg

I don't think it is leaking so I am going to try and ride out the rest of the season, and add the repair/replacement to my Christmas list.
The prop on the other hand,
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/8afaee51.jpg
has seen better days, and will have to be put down *:-[

Blue_ Runner, thanks for the link, that is the exact lower unit I need! just wrong coast and high cost, I am in Newport RI, but the one thing I did pick up was that he had the skeg replaced, and that hopefully is all i need *???

Thanks again.

[Sean]

Here is a couple pictures of her;
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/9c51db01.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k159/sreilly_2006/e5fe7bf1.jpg

Thanks again for the replys/help

[brianct12]

Sean,
I'll ask my buddy. *He works for the state of RI - manages the park on Prudence Island. *Deals alot with the state boats and knows many people in that area.
ps - thats a good-looking '79 ya got there. Must have been under cover alot.

[sfprovyn]

I would rough up that edge and marine tex it real nice and smooth and go for it..If it leaks or comes apart you can always get a used lower unit..I chunked up an old johnnyrude like that years ago and slopped on some marine tex and its probably still together...frank

[chumbucket]

Sean, this guy has a Merc 150 lower unit listed here for $150. In NH.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/203591743.html

[Sean]

I am begining to realize Marine Tex, is the "duck Tape" of the marine world! Perfect, I'll fill in the whole with the Marine tex, smooth out and paint over.
I might as well try this before getting a new/used lower unit.
Thanks!

[Blue_Runner]

I patched a part of the cavitation plate on a 70hp johnson with marine tex. Didn't even sand it smooth and it never was a problem for 5 years and still was as strong as the day I did it when I sold it.

[sfprovyn]

just make sure you rough it up real good and clean it with acetone to degrease it first..I had some leaking exhaust bellows one time on an old I/O 351 ford and it sealed it up .. I also use it for fiberglass and wood repairs if its not too extensive..Frank

[greateastern]

I did not read all the post so if I repeat sorry. You can buy a half scag and have a "good" welder weld it on. This happened to my buddy for $175.00 it was like new or better then new then he bought a prop for 100.00 done deal back in the water again.

[chumbucket]

I did not read all the post so if I repeat sorry. You can buy a half scag and have a "good" welder weld it on. This happened to my buddy for $175.00 it was like new or better then new then he bought a prop for 100.00 done deal back in the water again.

Or one could just purchase the lower unit and lower leg that I posted the link to for $150 and be done with spare parts. ;)

[Sean]

Alright, I filled the hole in the lower unit with Marine Tex and bought a new 15 x 17 prop.
CB, the lower unit on craigslist was from a 87 and was pretty beatup looking, but thanks anyways.
It is the back portion of the skeg that is missing and I am not sure how it is going to effect performance. But it is good to know I can just replace the skeg.
Tomorrow we will be back on the water and hopefully running strong because it has/is going to be perfect out!

Thanks for all the info/help. Hopefully soon I will be able to offer solutions/options instead of just asking questions ::)