Mystery part.. what is it?

[lowkee]

Random broken part found in the bilge after removing my 3.0L. What is it? It doesn't seem to mount on the engine, so maybe part of the gimbal assy?

You would think a piece this big (~6 inches long) would be easy to find a home for, but I haven't had any luck so far.

It also feels light, which makes me wonder if it is aluminum, which means I cannot weld it back to its home with my welder

Anyone recognize it? Is it steel or aluminum?

Comes from a Merc IO 3.0L Alpha Gen 1

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

cast aluminium

 

[cantaris]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

Looks like it is a part of the transom plat under the steering linkage. Is the hole big like one of the anode bolts on the bottom? Any way that is my guess.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

Yeah, the hole is big. About 1/2" in diameter. I'll check out under the steering linkage in the morning. Thanks.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

Looks like the lower port side corner of the transom plate to me.
see illustration
http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/transom_plate_shift_cable.html

looks like a serious problem. Good luck.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

Looks like the lower right hand corner of the transom plate to me.
see illustration
http://www.sterndrive.info/sterndriveparts/transom_plate_shift_cable.html

looks like a serious problem. Good luck.

Wow, that's exactly what it looks like. That would certainly account for the water leak. Maybe I can get the local auto guy to alum weld it back as to a whole.

Kinda makes you wonder how on Earth that part could possibly break off! It isn't even accessible with the engine on. PO must have whacked something pretty hard with the outdrive.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

PO must have whacked something pretty hard with the outdrive.

Either that or someone just over tightened it at some point (lets hope). Looks pretty beat up around the hole so was probably loose for a while. Lucky it fell out or might never have found it. As for welding it I wouldn?t bother, there are a zillion of them on e-bay (search ?Mercruiser transom plate?), new $70, used as low as $20. Probably less than it would cost to get it welded. Not so bad. It goes without saying that you might want to take a real close look at the transom for other damage.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

Sweet! There is a $35 used one 45min from my house! Good call!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mystery part.. what is it?

That would certainly account for the water leak.

If you have a water leak too, then you may very well have a rotten transom. If the transom is soft and the bolts are tightened down it will collapse the rotten wood which when trying to tighen the lower bolts, bends then breaks off the inner transom plate like that.