Honda 50 lower unit with "J Crack"

[knuckleball]

I recently purchased a 1999 honda bf50 to put on my carolina skiff. Upon further inspection while changing the lower unit oil, I noticed a "J crack" in the case. I am planning on getting it welded but would like to get any suggestions I can.

 

[cp]

Re: Honda 50 lower unit with "J Crack"

Don't know what a "J crack" is, but a buddy had a crack in the casing of the lower unit of one of his BF50 motors in the prop shaft area. He was told by a certified Honda mechanic that it was a problem occuring with some frequency on older BF50. It's caused by corrosion expanding the prop shaft support/alignment struts inside the housing. The cracked casing is cast aluminum so is not readily welded. Honda has changed the materials used on later motors to eliminate that happening, and my buddy had his lower unit replaced with an upgraded one. Good luck on your attempt to weld repair.

 

[knuckleball]

Re: Honda 50 lower unit with "J Crack"

The crack is exactly as you described. It is not as bad as i have seen, however it is something that i feel needs to be repaired. Most lower units I have ever worked with have been cast aluminum, but I do think honda or mercury or whoever built these lower units for honda did not do something right. And yes I agree with you that welding cast is not favorable. But I see it done all the time (skegs, cav plates are the most common).