Is My Bell Housing Cracked?

[SDSeville]

I changed some seals in my outdrive and was getting ready to reinstall when I noticed what looks like a crack in the bell housing. It is a line that goes about 90% around the bell housing and is indented in some parts and raised on others. The bellows clamp is on the other side of this line. Does anyone know what this might be?

 

[alldodge]

I changed some seals in my outdrive and was getting ready to reinstall when I noticed what looks like a crack in the bell housing. It is a line that goes about 90% around the bell housing and is indented in some parts and raised on others. The bellows clamp is on the other side of this line. Does anyone know what this might be?

If your talking about the green line I have marked, then maybe, but that would be the transom assembly. I would clean it up real goo, and if that didn't verify the issue then remove the boots

 

[SDSeville]

Yes, that's it. I will clean a bit more and see what I find. Here are a few more pics.

 

[SDSeville]

I cleaned it up a bit and still couldn't figure out what this is. It is about 1/2" past the rubber gasket where the outdrive slides into the bell housing. It looks like either something was grinding on it or some type of corrosion. I will disassemble completely tomorrow, but here are a few more pics for now. They are a little more clear than the 1st set.

 

[achris]

Looks normal to me. Often see lines in that area where people have cleaned the old glue off with a screwdriver. Never seen a bell housing crack there. If it was a crack, I would expect to see salt deposits. I think the line that looks like a crack is just a casting line.

Chris.....

 

[Grub54891]

deleted.

 

[alldodge]

Agree, I think it came from part of the mold when the part was cast, or some impurity which reacted, won't hurt a thing

 

[SDSeville]

Thanks guys. I tend to overreact sometimes...