Bent prop shaft ?

[Marcq]

Hi guys, I just bought this Bayliner Capri 1992 16' with a 70hp Force engine of the same year, the boat is in mint condition except for one thing, the engine had struck something in the water, it broke the skeg and bent the prop. When I picked up the boat the owner had just installed a new prop on it. When in neutral the prop turns easy by hand until it hits a sticky point but still able to turn it without much effort until it hits that sticky point again(same place).

I got the feeling that the prop shaft is bent, my two questions are, how much is too much ? And, is it safe to run the engine to see how the shaft reacts(vibration) ?

Marc..

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Bent prop shaft ?

Here is what that gear housing looks like

Prop shaft is $304 from mercury part number 44-817461. If that is all that is wrong with the motor I would do the rework. A skeg can be repaired for around $150 from a machine shop To me the problem you face is what else is damaged inside the gear housing. If gears are trashed then it will get real expensive. Might be better to look for another lower unit on Ebay and try and retrofit it to your motor.

 

[Marcq]

Re: Bent prop shaft ?

Thanks eurolarva

For the skeg, doesn't the lower unit have to be dismantle before welding can be done on it ? I was planing on using a Skeggard on it

As for the lower unit, I will check what the oil looks like today, hope not to find metal in there

I checked on ebay, lots of lower unit but not much for Force, I think I would be better off buying a complete engine for parts

will see

Marc..