Hello crew! I think I am pretty screwed here. I have a 1988 Regal Ambassador 255XL (5.7L Mercrusier Alpha 1 Gen One) and was going to do my maintenance because I knew it needed bellows and a shift cable. I had bought it last season and had a little water coming in the bilge so I knew it was more than time. I took off the lower drive unit and thought I would take off the lower transom bolts to replace the anodes and found that they where totally corroded and broke in half as I was trying to get them out. I tapped out the back ends and when I pulled the rest of the bolts out the bottom of the inside transom plate fell off. I will attach a picture to show exactly what I am talking about. I am pretty sure everyone is going to say pull the engine and replace the plate, but that is not really an option. If I paid someone to do that I think Id have to pay more than the boat is worth. I do think the actual transom is good even with the bad bolts. Id be willing to drill it to find out. Is there any other option than replacing the entire plate? The engine runs very well and Iv put many many hours into it making sure of it. Thank you for your opinions =)
