72 Evinrude 40 hp norseman Driveshaft Question

I have removed the driveshaft for my boat motor and am having the area around the water impeller metal sprayed and reground to fix a sealing problem in the gear case.<br /><br />Upon disassembly, I removed the shaft from the crankshaft and there is a big problem that I am not going to do anything about.<br /><br />I am wondering how serious this is.<br /><br />The Crankshaft is corroded to the point where there is soon going to be a possibility of the crank and drive shaft not connecting anymore.<br /><br />I was told to forget about it and start to shop for a new motor and grease it up and use it till it fails.<br /><br />Anything that I should do to help it last a little bit longer??<br /><br />Does anybody by rare chance have any parts?

Re: 72 Evinrude 40 hp norseman Driveshaft Question

Mike, Welcome to iboats.!<br /><br />Well, your in a bit of a fix. If the crankshaft does finally give way and 'spin' you have no drive, or cooling for that matter. The advice to grease the drive shaft splines and use it is sound. Lack of grease in the first place added to the corrosion. It depends on the condition of the power head as to wether you want to keep it and effect a repair or look for another donor motor for the power head.<br /><br />I was in your predicament awhile back with an '85 6hp Johnson. The drive shaft was fully spun in the crank. I gave the power head to a machinist friend who welded a 3/8"drive socket to the bottom of the crank shaft. He then had to rework the drive shaft to fit into the socket. This meant shortening the drive shaft a wee bit etc. The motor went back together fine and runs to this day just fine. I did this more of a lark as the power head had few hours. Why it had such a soft crank beat me.Perhaps the previous owner hit an under water object that sheared the crank splines, who knows. Considering the cost of such a repair , perhaps a donor motor would be your best option.

Re: 72 Evinrude 40 hp norseman Driveshaft Question

The crankshaft is common I think to all the earlier 40hp engines, so a replacement should be cheap enough from ebay, etc. The real problem is the time & effort in puting the crankshaft in the engine. If you did it yourself it might be worthwhile.<br /><br />Somewhere in the back of my mind there's a repair for splined sockets where a new insert is pressed or fitted. Something like a helicoil or a speedisleeve but for splines.

Re: 72 Evinrude 40 hp norseman Driveshaft Question

Well, I believe that what you say is not what I wanted to hear.<br /><br />The socket method is interesting.<br />My machinist will like to ponder this.<br /><br />The helicoil spline kit would be awesome.<br /><br />I'll do some checking and see what happens.<br /><br />This evinrude is my late father in law's motor and I am sentimental to keeping it running and it would be great. I do not want to sink ton's of money into it to accomplish eternal memories.<br /><br />I have the matching boat and that is more important and think that his energy is still there with the boat.<br /><br />I saw a Johnson '75 40 horse on ebay that looked to be in good shape. I am fully aware of taking a chance on this one but maybe the hours are low.<br /><br />I am going to check on it and see.<br /><br />Mike