[ranger115blue]

My lower unit was leaking. I found out that is is crack. It is a 1979 Mercury 115 Outboard, I also have a 1965 65 Hp Mercury Outboard the gear cases look identical. Would these interchange. I would have to change the prop shaft and gears because the reverse is out of the 65 horse. I removed the first prop shaft retainer nut, I remove the square retainer pin but I broke the 1/2 drive ratchet trying to remove the prop shaft retainer nut. Could I weld the cracked gear case and it be strong enough? it is cracked from the drain plug around the front of the gear case and down the other side. Thanks for any help, Terry

[alcan]

Hi Ranger If you keep all your questions and responces on the same topic we won't have to chase you down. This will give you better help. I misunderstood your last question. Your 65hp L/U will not swap with the 115. If you could post the ser# of the 115 it will help. As far as I can tell there is just the one gearcase cover nut. Behind that is the bearing carrier. It's real hard to determine the severity of your crack sitting here. It doesn't sound very hopefull. A good welder can work miracles, it doesn't hurt to ask. I think I would look for another L/U. From your description I think you would be money ahead. You my be able to sell some of the parts to help offset the cost of replacement.