wrunner74
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2016
- Messages
- 41
To even have to start this topic is sicking....
To make a long story short, a submerged log nearly totaled my motor.
Traveling along smoothly at 27mph the motor sounded like it exploded, but kept running long enough to reach the shore.
So here's what I found so far:
1. Motor popped up and impacted a rod holder support board, gouging into the oak.
2. Impact broke off the aluminum nose of the top cover and fractured the base of the nose.
3. Rear engine bracket rubber support bolt that holds top cover on sheared off.
4. Entire front motor chassis bracket cracked in half.
5. Front bracket pushed into flywheel, showering aluminum shavings throughout engine area.
On the river, I was able to reassemble the covers, except for the front cover which needs the top nose to hold it in place. The boat ran fine for another 20 miles up river. They was a tiny amount of the top cover nose left so I eventually got the front cover on too, temporary. The motor sounded perfect.
So here's my questions, comments and concerns to address the damage issues, I respect the knowledge of this community,so if you have some useful advice, please feel free, it's appreciated:
1. Amazingly I found an old front latch top for a 1970's era Mercury 50hp. Looks like a spot on match. It's from Florida so looks rough, but I'll repaint. Can you sandblast aluminum?
2. The top cover I order does not have the pentagon shaped plastic badge / emblem. That may be the hardest to find.
3. Could probably live without the rear rubber support, but a source for those would be great.
4. I found a bracket on eby but without the front latch, dang! So, my only option appears to be a repair. Do any of of those "aluminum weld" epoxies work well? Any recommendation other than actual welding? Probably going to have to do a complete from tear down to inspect for other damage, so maybe welding is the best option.
5. The first step will be to de grease and power wash the entire motor compartment.
I can't win $4 on the powerball after playing 1,000 times, but I can smack a floating log dead on in the middle of a huge river. Go figure.
I know you all like photos, so here they are.
To make a long story short, a submerged log nearly totaled my motor.
Traveling along smoothly at 27mph the motor sounded like it exploded, but kept running long enough to reach the shore.
So here's what I found so far:
1. Motor popped up and impacted a rod holder support board, gouging into the oak.
2. Impact broke off the aluminum nose of the top cover and fractured the base of the nose.
3. Rear engine bracket rubber support bolt that holds top cover on sheared off.
4. Entire front motor chassis bracket cracked in half.
5. Front bracket pushed into flywheel, showering aluminum shavings throughout engine area.
On the river, I was able to reassemble the covers, except for the front cover which needs the top nose to hold it in place. The boat ran fine for another 20 miles up river. They was a tiny amount of the top cover nose left so I eventually got the front cover on too, temporary. The motor sounded perfect.
So here's my questions, comments and concerns to address the damage issues, I respect the knowledge of this community,so if you have some useful advice, please feel free, it's appreciated:
1. Amazingly I found an old front latch top for a 1970's era Mercury 50hp. Looks like a spot on match. It's from Florida so looks rough, but I'll repaint. Can you sandblast aluminum?
2. The top cover I order does not have the pentagon shaped plastic badge / emblem. That may be the hardest to find.
3. Could probably live without the rear rubber support, but a source for those would be great.
4. I found a bracket on eby but without the front latch, dang! So, my only option appears to be a repair. Do any of of those "aluminum weld" epoxies work well? Any recommendation other than actual welding? Probably going to have to do a complete from tear down to inspect for other damage, so maybe welding is the best option.
5. The first step will be to de grease and power wash the entire motor compartment.
I can't win $4 on the powerball after playing 1,000 times, but I can smack a floating log dead on in the middle of a huge river. Go figure.
I know you all like photos, so here they are.
