I think I need a new lower unit...

1968 Mercury 500 / 50 H.P. 4 Cyl. I have been in the lake for hours having fun. At the end of the evening I went for the last round of pulling the kids. However, the motor started sounding weird and not moving quite right. So I abort the fun and head to the ramp. 50 yards from the ramp the motor really start to sound weird and I hear a pop. I stop the motor and went to the stern. I could smell the lower unit grease... I got hauled back to the ramp (i did not take my electric motor with me) and this is what I saw when I pulled the boat out...

Anyone guess what happened? I wont be opening this lower unit any time soon as I am not repairing it. I will just temporized the cobia project and use it for the rest of the season and then finish it up during fall/winter. I do not see me fixing this motor unless I see a lower unit or a motor with a bad power head next to nothing...

Thanks

Re: I think I need a new lower unit...

You won't need to open that unit, start looking for a donor engine. Thats the pinion brg that means the case, shaft and probably the pinion gear are gone. just to much expense a donor will be much cheaper.

Re: I think I need a new lower unit...

I will probably open it just to see the damage. What do you think lead to this failure? In normal conditions pulling that tube should not cause a problem.

Re: I think I need a new lower unit...

Hi check your mail sent you a note.

Re: I think I need a new lower unit...

Lack of lube or rusted bearing.

Re: I think I need a new lower unit...

Laddies said:

Lack of lube or rusted bearing.

Click to expand...

So in short, lube problem... Oh well... I will just fix it. I need to eventually fix it as my economic situation can not longer put up with 3 boats...

Thanks!