in-line 6 overheating problem

[moneyhole]

I see now why my water pump is bad, as I was taking off the lower unit I noticed some areas that had been epoxied and painted over. Guess what, the whole trim tab casting on the upper half of the motor broke off. I traded the boat with a horse trader. Can this type of "pot metal" be welded or am I just up the creek wihout a paddle. I'm going to post a pic of it in my album. If any one has any ideas, suggestions, solutions or other ideas than sinking her, let me know. I've contacted the fellow I got the boat from asking to reverse our trade...doubt I get far with that one. Live & learn.

[spareparts]

they weld on those lower units all teh time, just find someone whos familure with the repairs, try a prop shop

[moneyhole]

Thanks - was hoping it could be welded, but it burns my rear knowing this guy sold it to me like this.....very good lesson learned..buy a boat on a warm day and insist the owner take you out for a test ride. Ha! I'll call on some old buddies that have welding experience and see who they can recommend. I guess it's time for a cold one and wrap it up in plastic.
Thanks again SP....this is a really great site!!!!!!!

[RWilson2526]

Tough break....similar thing happened to a friend of mine....guy had all sorts of JB weld inside the drive to keep it together long enough to get it out the door basically. Live and learn they say...

On another note....when you had the boat in the water was it floating like your bottom paint line shows?.....seems like the back end is sitting WAY low in the back.

[step up here]

this could be just the beginning of your problems now that you have the lower unit off take the upper off and see what it looks like. oh you can still get a garden hose and connect the hose [to the hose that is]off the inside of the transom inner housing plate. this little tube years ago used to rot out a little [copper] causing trouble but is now made out of plastic type material and no longer a problem. after you turn on the water you start the motor and go from their. anytime you take off a mercruiser outdrive and place it back be sure to have the shifter in forward gear!like said you can get profession advice and info on this site; but you also need some mechanical skills.their are a few cracker jack wrenchs on here. willing to help. good luck and continue on. hope you get to enjoy what you paid for. another bad to the bone V20.

[moneyhole]

I have never had the boat in the water...got it late last summer and just found out it wasn't pumping water last week when I put the muffs on then in a tub of water. I wrapped plastic around the top part of the outdrive and have the lower unit inside the garage. Going to look for a welder tomorrow and see if it can be repaired. I do have another complete used stern drive - worst case - I don't know the condition of that one but it has a few barnacles on it and the housing is in better looking condition that what's on my boat now. Couple of years difference due to apperance, but gimble housing & u-joints are all there. The guy used a sawzall and cut the whole thing from the transome!!!
My current lower unit does have the plastic tube instead of copper, but it's reamed out at top - will need to replace as well. Shame, because the entire boat has been re-wired, new Cobra vhf radio and sound system, all gauges work etc.
I'll see what the welder says & go from there,,,guess it's back to the 12' V-hull jon boat...to the pond I go.......

[spareparts]

keep in mind that replacement outdrive parts are available at much cheaper prices than they were just a few years ago, If you find that teh droive needs extensive work, check with sterndrive enginerring for a price on a replacemnt drive. From what you are descirbing about your boat, I think it would be woryh your while to have a qua;lified mechanic do an evauluation of your boat. have soem one take a look at it and let you know what you're in for, normally it doesn't cost a lot, it would be money well spent.