Motor mount rot/89 Reinell Restoration

[sk8er406]

So upon preparing to remove the engine to replace a coupler I found out that one of the motor mounts is rotted and had collapsed slighty in turn causing the coupler to shred. My question is what do I need to do to repair this?

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Engine stringers

Re: Engine stringers

By the way its an 89 Reinell with 4.3 OMC Cobra

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Engine stringers

Re: Engine stringers

As you can see the left side is rotted and sunk in and I could stick a screw driver threw the side

 

[salty87]

Re: Engine stringers

Re: Engine stringers

My question is what do I need to do to repair this?

say a little prayer that you get lucky. generally although not always, there's more rot in the stringers and often the transom too. you're gonna need to do some inspecting to see how bad it is. you can drill small test holes to see what the wood shavings look like. if what the drill bit pulls out are dark and wet it's bad news.

is your transom very sturdy? if you lift up or push down on the outdrive does it flex? you can drill some holes there too from the inside.

if your drill pulls out nice dry sawdust you just seal the holes and do a little dance.

forgot to answer your question...in the least you're gonna need to pull the engine to repair the area under it.

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Engine stringers

Re: Engine stringers

Oh I am praying hard....The transom seems sturdy with no movement and when I tap on it and the rest of the area around the rot I get a nice sharp sound like it should and not a dull hallow sound. Good thing I was having to pull the engine anyways to replace the coupler and that how I came across it while prepping the engine.

 

[salty87]

Re: Engine stringers

Re: Engine stringers

are your mounts sitting on raw plywood? great chance to improve that design.

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Engine stringers

Re: Engine stringers

Looks like it...Guess they weren't thinking very much in the 80's.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine stringers

Re: Engine stringers

Ayuh,... I'll move this to the Drydock for ya,....

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

I read some where that there is just bonded wood inside that is glassed in, is that correct?

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

Is this a new to you boat?

Your mount should not look like that....someone did a cob job and lifted the motor slight and slid that plywood over the rot and re-installed the lag bolts. Not a very good fix as you already know....spun coupler!

I hate to say it... but your in for a full blown resto project.

The mounts......mine were solid 4x4 wood mounts from the factoy. I used 3/4" plywood glued together to make new ones.

Start lurking in the resto forums and see what others have done.

Good Luck!

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

Yes its a new to me boat.....the plywood is on both sides and I read some where that they are factory spacers but I could be wrong. By full blown restoration do you all the flooring and stringers?

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

I would bet that a previous owner made that bad fix not the boat factory, and like others have said if it's rotted there, it most likely is rotted elsewhere too. Time to do some inspections elsewhere to size up the project. I would test drill low from the inside on your transom to see what the wood looks like, and if you can get to the stringers, I would really look them over too. How's the floor condition? any soft spots?

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

No soft spots on the floor or any where else and the rest if the area sounds solid when I tap on it. Guess you're right though, some drilling needs to be performed.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

I know of No Factory that would put Bare Plywood spacers under the motor mounts. The PO attempted a Band Aid fix which directly led to the issues you are now having. You really need to do a thorough inspection of the stringers, mounts and transom on your boat. I believe what others have said that your boat is in need of some serious repairs.

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

Before you start ripping things apart.......Take alot of pic's of everything...Wires, hose routing ect.
Then pull the drive and motor...take more pic's...then make a sketch of what you have....then measure everything.

Next i would do your sample testing... See what you have and post the results....these folks will guide you along the way.

Good Luck!

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

Anything I can do to fix it temporarily so I can at least use it the rest of the summer before having to gut it?

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

Anything I can do to fix it temporarily so I can at least use it the rest of the summer before having to gut it?

I doubt you are gonna get too many "Band-Aid" type repair suggestions around here...
The problem is that you not only could cause really bad damage to the mechanical parts of the boat, it may actually cause a safety issue...
And boating can NOT be fun, if it isn't safe...

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

Bummer to hear but I completely understand. What can I expect as far as price for all the material?

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

How would you answer this question:
Can I temporarily replace the deteriorated* motor mounts in your truck/van/motor scooter/car w/ uncoated plywood shims?



*if they look like this they are deteriorated:

Besides you already said you could stick a screwdriver into them.. BTW: Is that hose getting chaffed as it rubs against the top left (in this ^^^ pix) corner of the motor mount's support?

 

[sk8er406]

Re: Motor mount rot

Re: Motor mount rot

No I would not and I should have taken that as a sign before shelling out the cash but that's a noob mistake for you. No the hose is not chafing.