Glaspar_Fan
Seaman
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2012
- Messages
- 63
I have a Searay with an Alpha outdrive (~1986) and a Chevy 350. The exhaust Y-pipe (3", non-symetrical bolt pattern) appears to be leaking judging from where I can see water trickling in while the engine runs on the trailer. When I had the outdrive off, I felt around with my fingers and looked with an inspection mirror and it seems there is some significant pitting corrosion on the Y-pipe at the bottom. From what I've read on the forums, these things are a common source of leaks. As near as I can tell with my fingers, the transom plate seems to be in good shape.
The real problem is that no one (Mercruiser or anyone else) seems to make them any longer. Am I missing something? Where does everyone else get theirs? Used ones on Ebay seem iffy and must be gold plated judging from the prices. Anyone out there ever try fixing one by taking it to a welder and having the pitting ground out and built back up? How well did that work? Or has anyone ever tried fabricating a replacement?
As a last resort there is some epoxy filler in the iBoats store that claims to be a permanent fix for pitting and leaks in the exhaust system. Anyone tried that? I know the other last resort is a block-off plate and through the transom exhaust, but I really don't want to go there. This is a family boat, not a racer and the noise would be an issue.
Thank you for your time,
John
The real problem is that no one (Mercruiser or anyone else) seems to make them any longer. Am I missing something? Where does everyone else get theirs? Used ones on Ebay seem iffy and must be gold plated judging from the prices. Anyone out there ever try fixing one by taking it to a welder and having the pitting ground out and built back up? How well did that work? Or has anyone ever tried fabricating a replacement?
As a last resort there is some epoxy filler in the iBoats store that claims to be a permanent fix for pitting and leaks in the exhaust system. Anyone tried that? I know the other last resort is a block-off plate and through the transom exhaust, but I really don't want to go there. This is a family boat, not a racer and the noise would be an issue.
Thank you for your time,
John