On both of my two VP AQ290 drives, I have significant corrosion, where the bellows attach from the exhaust elbow. Basically the same situation as in this pic (not mine):
I did already manage to hack a quick fix by chopping of the corroded ends under the bend and then using a 90 degree elbow to substitute it, with another bellow joining everything below.
Now, I am not sleeping peacefully with this fix so I managed to source two Y pipes that I plan on reconditioning and then installing them, replacing the corroded/chopped off ones. (I know, engine needs to come out and drives need to go off too)
I am a bit scared though, since the 4 bolts that hold the Y pipe to the transom are now most likely frozen solid in the transom aluminium casting? These drives are now about 40 years old and it's safe to assume those bolts were never touched in all that time. Is there any procedure to safely and nicely get everything off, or has practice shown that this project results in the screws breaking, rounding off and consequently your transom getting fked up?
If the bolts are known to be a pain to remove, I am thinking it might be easier to try and bring a welder to my boat and fix the existing Y pipes in place? I read somewhere that the Y pipes are made from a weldable alloy?
Anyone with expertise in this area care to pitch in?
Has anyone welded corroded these ends with any success?
I did already manage to hack a quick fix by chopping of the corroded ends under the bend and then using a 90 degree elbow to substitute it, with another bellow joining everything below.
Now, I am not sleeping peacefully with this fix so I managed to source two Y pipes that I plan on reconditioning and then installing them, replacing the corroded/chopped off ones. (I know, engine needs to come out and drives need to go off too)
I am a bit scared though, since the 4 bolts that hold the Y pipe to the transom are now most likely frozen solid in the transom aluminium casting? These drives are now about 40 years old and it's safe to assume those bolts were never touched in all that time. Is there any procedure to safely and nicely get everything off, or has practice shown that this project results in the screws breaking, rounding off and consequently your transom getting fked up?
If the bolts are known to be a pain to remove, I am thinking it might be easier to try and bring a welder to my boat and fix the existing Y pipes in place? I read somewhere that the Y pipes are made from a weldable alloy?
Anyone with expertise in this area care to pitch in?
Has anyone welded corroded these ends with any success?
