3Squids '79 Center Console thread

[3 Squids]

Motor is finally hung back on the boat, just about ready to go get the rebuilt powerhead installed.




Also after discovering that the nuts on the 2 eyes in the transom were basically non existent anymore I decided to check the bow eye as well. Well sure enough the nuts were just balls of rust. I can't believe it hasn't pulled out getting it on the trailer. So I bought a new bow eye and my plan is to reglass a core inside the hull as I believe the existing wood core is rotten. For now I just put a piece of wood back there to get it trailered to the motor man. The gel coat around the eye was chipped up pretty badly so I fabricated a little stainless cosmetic plate to cover as much of the mess as I can. I'll also bed it with LifeCaulk once I finish the backing plate.

[3 Squids]

Well got some bad news today. My lower unit was shot, I knew that already. Apparently the lower unit on the parts motor is also shot. Been searching all afternoon for one and have come up empty handed. I asked the motor man if rebuilding them was a good option and he suggest finding a good used one over rebuilding. Not real sure why but for now I guess I'll take his advice.

So if any of you got any laying around a brother could really use some help right now!!

Also he asked me if I was aware the motor wasn't seated to the transom properly. I asked him what he meant and he said he noticed a gap at the bottom of the mounting bracket. He tried to tighten it and couldn't. He said he loosened the top bolts and tightened the bottom and there was a gap at the top. So pretty much my motor is teeter-tottering top to bottom. Not a real happy camper right now. I have been without my boat for the past 2 months to get a transom put it and it's not done right. I feel with YouTube and advice I could of gotten here or any other forum I could of tackled this project myself and saved a lot of time and headache.

It appears to be about a 1/16" or less gap so I'm thinking maybe I can use a long block to true it up??? What are your thought? I have a photo but seem to be having issues with Photobucket so I'll try to get that up ASAP.

[3 Squids]

Think I could possibly true it up with a long block sander??



Had to post a bow pic. Dat flare dough!!!

[draglink]

https://www.facebook.com/19584498711...type=3&theater


don't know if link will work. 20" Lower unit for sale on Mercury site on Facecrack

[bradford]

Have you checked out SEI, seems like good prices vs taking a chance on something from craigslist.

[3 Squids]

Mike, my motor is a 25" shaft. Thanks though

Bradford, I'll take a look at them. I talked to my local Mercury shop and he has one that he replaced a year ago then the owner of the boat repowered. He said he'd sell it to me for $1000 and buying it from him will give me a guarantee on it. Right now that's my best option. Just waiting to get it back from the motor guy.

[3 Squids]

Looked into SEI a little. $845 for a whole new lower unit. Seems like a deal to me. Comes with a 3 year warranty that covers anything. They even claim running with no oil or hitting a stump as covered. May be the route I go depending on shipping. I'm sure that can be expensive.