1965 johnson super sea horse 40 hp

[beastieboy333]

ok heres the deal i bought a 1965 mfg niagra from this guy and the boat it self is in great condition minus the interior but to my questuion... you know the fins that you hook the hydrofoil too on the foot of the motor ? well one side is broken and i was wondering if i could just grind the other one off and run the engine that way? any help out there? please ? ok enough beggin . seriously though anyone ever done this before with good results

[JB]

Got a pic? Is there enough left to attach a hydrofoil to?

[Mas]

Sounds like your talking about the cav/ventilation plate...nope, that cannot be removed!

Mas

[beastieboy333]

there is nothing to attach a hydro foil to on the right side it completely broke off i will send photos today

[alajoyn]

two options maybe.
1. form a piece of "L" channel around the lower unit where the cavatation plate should be and run a good stainless clamp to hold it to the lower unit. Mfg a duplicate piece using the "good" part of the cav plate as a template and screw it to the "L" channel. This would be make-shift but might work.
2. Grind off smooth the broken part of the cavatation plate. TIG weld a copy made from the other side where it lines up and weld to the lower unit "carefully" and to the remaining portion of the cavatation plate. Thus remanufacturing the broken part in complete. Grind smooth the welds. Good as new.
Note: Have someone that is competent at Tig welding alluminum cast do it for you. It can be tricky, but you will have a good unit again.