damaged skeg on the lower unit of a 1958 Evinrude 18 hp

DR. Smith · #1 October 7th, 2003, 07:26 PM

I would like to know if anyone can tell me where I can find/purchase a lower unit skeg of a 1958 (blue)18hp Evinrude? The engine is in great shape but unfortunately my brother found a rock. The prop and unit work fine.

ezeke · #2 October 7th, 2003, 08:23 PM

Try these fellows. It is easiest to email them with what you want and let them get back to you.

Fairwinds

rodbolt · #3 October 8th, 2003, 03:11 AM

Hello

the lower unit is made in two pices. dont try to swap the parts. they were machined together and must remain so for life. if any welding is done make sure to do it with the bearings and prop shaft head in place and do not cool it with water.dont try to find another lower part and bolt it on. good luck and keep posting

JB · #4 October 8th, 2003, 05:21 AM

Have you considered simply installing a SkegGard? If there is as little as an inch of the original left it will fit.

Good luck.

R.Johnson · #5 October 9th, 2003, 10:57 PM

Rodbolt! I have to disagree on this one. These engines are up in age, and keeping them running is the issue. Where are you going to find an unbent 58 gearcase. The last one I checked was out .040. I would change the skeg and hope for the best.

Chinewalker · #6 October 10th, 2003, 03:02 PM

I've changed the skegs on several motors over the years with mixed results. They bored thousands of those units on jigs at the factory. The variances between them are minimal at best. The hole bores are the same size - it's just a matter of hoping they were dead-on center, or at least off the same amount on the ones you're swapping out. A fraction of extra clearance might be able to be handled with some extra sealant. However, if it's a little on the tight side it may bind things up. The bearings and carriers will help align everything front and back. Bottom line - won't know until you try...

- Scott

rodbolt · #7 October 10th, 2003, 03:08 PM

hello

actually were it mine as long as it did not leak oil I would run it

the skeg an an 18 is not that important. but if you try to use the lower half of the gearcase from another engine you may find that it will self destruct. those cases were machined years before tha use of CNC machines. the case was bolted together then all the bores for the propshaft bearing and head assy was done. the use of mismatched parts may lead to the destruction of a gear set. good luck and keep posting