[jakeboomer]

I have a 1988 mercury 25 horse - short shaft. I bought it a couple months ago and didn't notice cracks in the shaft housing right above the lower unit. I knew the motor seen shallow water, but the compression was great, and there was no water in the lower unit. Last week I hit a submerged dike and bent the prop shaft. Very unlucky. While pulling the lower end, I noticed the cracks were much worse than I thought. One of them goes from the front foot of the housing across to the other side. My question is this. Can this be welded, or does anybody know where to start looking for a used shaft housing? How about locations for used prop shafts? I have a manual, and can be pretty handy with a wrench if needed.Any recommendations would be appreciated. When this happened, I almost tossed the motor and headed out for a new one. The problem is that the motor runs so well. I rebuilt the carb and it starts in one pull every time. It has excellent compression to boot. Thanks again.

[marinegrh]

the mid section that you are refering to can be fixed, as long as the cracks are small enough, one method of fixed a metal crack is to drill on either side of the crack to prevent it from increasing in size, then you can have it welded, but by a good welder only, you dont want some joe burning it to hot and making mush out of it, there is some concerns i would have though and that would be where are the cracks located, are they around where the bolts thread in, are they through the exhaust area etc...you should have no problems thought as its only aluminum....the propshaft, you may not want a used one, you have to worry about condition and wear on it...try mercurys parts express and price em out.....heck sierra might even make a aftermarket one....good luck and keep us infoed

[jakeboomer]

Well I pulled the drive shaft housing off last night, and the front section (where the two front lowerend bolts connect) finally broke off. The crack was much worse than I had anticipated. I don't believe it's worth welding, so I need a new housing for a short shaft. Preferably, I would like to purchase a used one, since i still have a lowerend to rebuild. Does anybody know of a good junkyard for Mercury motors. I am sure somebody will have a dead powerhead or lowerend attached to a solid housing I could purchase.Thanks,jakeboomer

[rodbolt]

email me at rodbolt40@ yahhoo.com