3Squids '79 Center Console thread

[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.

[bradford]

A lower has some weight to it, but is a relatively small compact package. I'll bet shipping isn't a deal breaker.

Might ask Spareparts, he might have some experience with them.

[Destroyer]

When I bought a lower for my 200hp Mercury 2.5L to convert it from a 20" to a 25" I think the total cost for shipping was less than $50... and that included the lower and the mid extension unit. Shipping shouldn't be that much.

[3 Squids]

Originally Posted by Destroyer

When I bought a lower for my 200hp Mercury 2.5L to convert it from a 20" to a 25" I think the total cost for shipping was less than $50... and that included the lower and the mid extension unit. Shipping shouldn't be that much.

Nice. Did you go with SEI? If so how has it performed?

[SkunkBoat]

sorry to see the problem with the transom. I was worried when I first saw your pic of the outside skin cut off. Not the best way to do it. People think its faster and easier than cutting the cap and going from the inside but then its all on you to shape it.

Question. Could it be that the holes are drilled in the wrong place or angled incorrectly? If you remove the bottom bolts and snug the top, can it sit flush?

Second.
Rather than shave it, consider adding to it to make a flat surface. Way easier. Use some EPOXY hard filler.

[3 Squids]

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

sorry to see the problem with the transom. I was worried when I first saw your pic of the outside skin cut off. Not the best way to do it. People think its faster and easier than cutting the cap and going from the inside but then its all on you to shape it.

Question. Could it be that the holes are drilled in the wrong place or angled incorrectly? If you remove the bottom bolts and snug the top, can it sit flush?

Second.
Rather than shave it, consider adding to it to make a flat surface. Way easier. Use some EPOXY hard filler.

No. it's definitely bowed. I put a straight edge along the transom and it teeter-totters like a playground toy. After thinking about it I agree adding material would be better than shaving it down. Guess I'll pull the motor off yet again and see what I can do with it. That's really the least of my worries right now as I gotta reconstruct the splashwell as well. He's got all sorts of 2x4's everywhere I guess bracing things up. Seemed a bit excessive to me. And as you said it had to be shaped back and it was not shaped back at all the way it was. Everything is kind of radiused now and looks terrible. I'm not sure at all how I'm going to get a somewhat sharp edge there without it being weak and breaking off easily.

Originally Posted by Destroyer

One picture is worth a thousand words, etc. I'm not endorsing this particular brand or dealer, but this is what a thread file looks like, as shown in the picture. They (the files) come in several different types, to cover all the different thread sizes that are on the market.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-IN-1-THREA...656516&vxp=mtr

I have seen those before. My dad alsways had a few in his toolbox but I never knew what they were. I'm going to get info on the threads and order one. Worth a shot.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by 3 Squids

I have seen those before. My dad always had a few in his toolbox but I never knew what they were. I'm going to get info on the threads and order one. Worth a shot.

I was a machinist for a number of years before I became a plant engineer. They work, and they work well. Saved many an item by using them. Just take your time, let the file do the work. Just lay the teeth into the groves and then work the file straight forward and back. Be careful to not work the file in an arc or a circle on the threads. Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy .