Is this hole supposed to be there?

[escoboat]

Discovered this hole in the gearcase. Will this hole in the gear case affect the performance? My husband says he thinks a cover goes over it. I think it's a straight-up hole that needs to be repaired.

Edited to add 1990 sterndrive

 

[Berniemcc]

You're correct - you need a new bell housing because the one you have has corroded beyond repair. Should be able to find one on ebay or maybe on this forum.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Is this really a serious question?

 

[escoboat]

Thank you BernieMCC. and Rick Stephens.Yes. its a serious question - zero experience with boats. I wouldn't have taken the time to ask if it wasn't.

 

[Searay205]

Oh My. Always wear your life jacket!!!!!

 

[escoboat]

Well now I"m nervous. We got this boat (1990 Searay 160) for free and are wondering what else is wrong with it, The interior is great it had been stored inside, but it had been sitting for nine years and budgeted 2-3k for repairs, but maybe it isn't worth it.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Ok, so since you are serious, you will need to go through quite literally every last maintenance item before getting your family in harms way. Note, the motor is the easy part. Motor is a motor is a motor, just like your car engine from the '90's with just a few modification to make it a marine engine. But the drive and especially the hull are where your safety issues come in.

A replacement bell housing is easy - but the transom assembly needs all the rubber parts replaced as well as gimbal bearing and u-joints.

The drive is what it is. Needs to be removed from the boat, drained, and pressure tested first. You can do that yourself! There is a thread in the Adults Only section just on that. If you find leaky seals, they need replacing. The two drive cases then need to be split apart, the water pump removed and tossed in the can, everything inspected and lubricated, then new water pump and housing and reassembly.

HULL:

Where to start? Need to drill test holes in the low side of the internal transom to determine if there is much rot. Also drill the lower stern end of the stringers on each side of the motor. Holes are easy to fill and what you are looking for is dry wood or mushy old rotten mush.

Those are the things to start with. The bell housing is least of worries at this point.

You can get your eyes on the real service manuals at www.boatinfo.com

You can also find several places to purchase the appropriate manuals should that become needful. Like http://outdriveshop.com/mercruisermanuals.html

And this is the best place to get advice.


Happy rebuilding!

Rick

 

[escoboat]

Rick Stephens....THANK YOU!! I never even considered wood rot

 

[jesse_boston]

Normally when it comes to boating "is this hole supposed to be there" is a really bad place to be!

It looks to me like the hole is just into the place where the shift actuator turns the shift rod, which is exposed to sea water on both sides.
So, you could maybe run it like that, but if that housing is as corroded as that, it'll definitely have other corrosion issues.
Beyond that, what everyone else said.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Normally when it comes to boating "is this hole supposed to be there" is a really bad place to be!

It looks to me like the hole is just into the place where the shift actuator turns the shift rod, which is exposed to sea water on both sides.
So, you could maybe run it like that, but if that housing is as corroded as that, it'll definitely have other corrosion issues.
Beyond that, what everyone else said.

The hole just goes in between u-joint bellows and exhaust bellow. You can see the water hose clamp in the pic. Yes, it doesn't leak anywhere and water is on both sides. Problem is, it indicates a corrosion issue that compromises the strength. The entire outdrive and transom assembly need inspection and the bell housing replaced. The bell housing handles all the torque and when they break, weird things happen, like sinking.

 

[achris]

Discovered this hole in the gearcase. Will this hole in the gear case affect the performance? My husband says he thinks a cover goes over it. I think it's a straight-up hole that needs to be repaired.

Edited to add 1990 sterndrive

There is a technical term for the condition of the drive you have. But as this is a 'family friendly' site, I can't say it.

You got the boat for free. Most 'free' boats are the most expensive to restore. I would very politely suggest, you pass it on to someone else 'for free'...

Chris......

 

[tpenfield]

Discovered this hole in the gearcase. My husband says he thinks a cover goes over it.

Oh, boy . . . I'd like to see that cover . . .

Sounds like it could be a rough going out there on the water. Bring a set of paddles, cell phone and maybe have a SeaTow membership.

 

[Searay205]

I disagree with "you can do this" 95% of folks cannot. Pressure testing outdrive. Hopefully they don't juice with a 100 psig and explode it. Reseal an outdrive, change bellows (orient the clamps correctly) odds are very likely it will come apart and take valuable space for 5 years before going to dump where is probably where it belongs. Manifolds, carburetor overhaul, I doubt it.

 

[gm280]

True answer is YES, it does need repaired. However, everything is repairable. The real question becomes, how much and what are your capabilities? If you have the proper tools and know how, it can be made to look like new again. But that depends on your money, tools, and capability to do such repairs.

Properly removed and cleaned up, it can have a patch welded in and finished off like it was never ever there. But that depends on your abilities and proper tools and welding equipment.

So you have to make those decisions. But remember, the boat itself probably needs a ton of repairs as well. Looks are so deceiving with boats. They can look flawless and if you push your finger in the right (wrong) place, you could push right through the nice finish exposing rot.

With all that stated, if you really love the boat and are willing to jump in with both feet, go for it and ask all the questions on here how to do each new issue you find... JMHO

 

[Scott Danforth]

First, since no one else said it......welcome aboard to one of the best DIY boating sites

Second, that corrosion hole should not be there, yes its repairable as mentioned above. however it screams lack of maintenance. Lack of maintenance on the drive means that there is lack of maintenance on everything else

Third, a neglected boat that is free will be the most expensive boat you can ever own. It literally will cost more to repair than a boat you buy for $5000 and sink $5000 into.

if the damage is limited to just your outdrive, the good news...... look for a 1992 or newer bayliner in your local adds. it will be listed as a free boat, must take trailer. Bayliners of the 90's had the hulls rot out and many were powered by the 3.0 liter with the Alpha 1, Gen 2 drive. you may be able to repair the drive with an updated motor/drive for very little money.