[THEFERMANATOR]

Well I was hoping to take my HYDRA for it's first trip this weekend, but it decided otherwise. I started the day off by removing the engine to replace the aluminum around the transom due to corrosion. Got the new one cut and re-installed, and decided to add in a reinforcement bar on the upper 2 bolts. Got it all back together and the upper 2 bolts were too short now. After almost an hour of searching looking for 2 new bolts($12 for 2 bolts) I was able to actually mount the engine. Well it has BRASS locknuts on them and one strips out when tightening it back up, so I install stainless. So I'm almost ready, just need to install the float switch.

Well I try to start it and it doesn't want to kick over, check everything over and decide the starter is the dragging. Pull the starter off and figure it might need brush's. Pull it apart and find that the brass bushing in the end cap popped out and drove itself up into the armeture windings, and let the armeture flop around and break both magnets. Plus the brush's are shot. So now I need a new starter, no saving this one. So now an aftermarket starter will set back anywhere from $100-$250 depending wether I go with super cheap generic EBAY or an ARCO unit. And I still have to go down and give the tax man his money for registration and such. It just never ends.