Opinions wanted

RidgeRunner · #1 05-12-2011, 11:37 AM

Should I take the time and replace the bolts, nuts and the lower motor mounts? 3.0L Mercury They are rusty and crusty due to the previous owner leaving his rig in the water with the motor in too. The lever that holds the motor in the full tilt position was froze up, the grease fitting would not accept any grease either so I guess they would trim it all the way out and over time the trim unit would leak down. I got the clamp brackets off the mid, blasted and painted, I nearly have the rest of the midsection ready for paint. It is now or never, what do you think?

Destroyer · #2 05-12-2011, 02:06 PM

Two opinions.. the first is the old adage.. "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Lots of truth there. The second is "if a jobs worth doing, it's worth doing right". Lots of truth there also.....

So it all boils down to.... are the fish biting now?

RidgeRunner · #3 05-12-2011, 02:42 PM

Destroyer, I love your response.. The fish are not biting in the office yet. I will take your reply as a GO FOR IT because the trim pump and seal kits have not arrived from the getting place yet.

If I expedited the bolt and nuts I could have it together in a day or two. There is still another boat or two in the stable, just in case.
I like the way you think. Anyone else?

nymack66 · #4 05-12-2011, 06:39 PM

I will say fix it now, Its one thing less to worry about down the road and one off the "honey do list"...

RidgeRunner · #5 05-13-2011, 09:29 AM

Thanks NYMACK, more work and not the easiest task. I think the uppers have to come apart to get the lowers back together. That being the case, I think I will put that on the backburner, am not thrilled about pulling the powerhead until I have a real reason. I found and purchased another mid section for another project. It is half apart already and not near as crusty as this one. What is up with Mercury and these darn nuts and bolts anyway? Why don't they use stainless? My 225 Optimax has never sat in the water and it has the same issue. So does the Johnson 90, so it isn't just Mercury.

reelapeelin · #6 05-13-2011, 10:52 AM

I have come to know your standards and the quality of your work...that tells me you have a need and won't be happy w/it til those bolts are replaced...sorry pal, but you've got some work to do...

smkinnan · #7 05-13-2011, 01:42 PM

I usually guage this stuff by how deep would the sh(%$&t be if you have a problem and your 3, 5, 10 or 20 miles offshore? If you can live with "whats the worse that can happen", then leave them like they are. Otherwise, you should change them.....my 2 cents

Richie Rich · #8 05-14-2011, 09:29 PM

If its just nuts and bolts, and they being inexpensive, i'd do them now...one saturday and your done...project over...then go fishin

RidgeRunner · #9 05-16-2011, 07:48 AM

It is a little more than nuts and bolts, but I get your drift. Last time I checked the motor mounts were about $60 each x4 plus another $40 in bolts and then waiting on some new gaskets. That is on top of the swearing and knucle bustin that goes along with the job. This started out as a power trim motor replacement.

I hate to disappoint, but I have decided against doing the mounts. It would take another weekend, the chance of failure is nearly immeasureable in my eyes, nothing is bad just not well taken care of. I put Ospho on the rusted bolt heads and nuts, zinc chromate on all the bare aluminum after hand sanding for two days with 80 grit, then 220 grit. Waiting on the paint to dry before sanding again with 320 and putting on the black. It is looking pretty good for a spray bomb job.