Kid Shot My Johnson!

[Papa gone fishing]

I'm in the process of getting my 1961 FDL-15 running again after a 5 year hiatus.
I was getting ready to replace the water pump impeller when I discovered a small hole in the exhaust housing.
I'm fairly confident that it's a pellet hole from my ex-neighbors son's high powered pellet gun.
My first thought was to possibly drill and tap it and install a stainless screw, but due to how the damage was done the inside of the hole has a large crater about a 3/8 inch off to one side.
I feel the housing is to thin to thread for a bolt that large.
So my next thought is to seal it with JB Weld, sand it down and repaint it.
Do you think that would work?
Do you have any better idea's?

 

[jakedaawg]

Get it welded. Its cast Al. Not I big deal.

 

[Scott Danforth]

a 3/8" hole isnt a pellet gun. more likely a .32 or .38

 

[F_R]

Are you sure? Does that hole have rubber in it? The upper water tube grommet is in that area. If that is what you are looking at, it is not a gunshot wound, and is normal. Worse, you might owe the kid an apology.

 

[Chinewalker]

Agreed with F_R - that's the casting hole for the water tube grommet. If there's nothing in the hole, then you've likely got water issues, as your water tube won't be properly sealed.

 

[racerone]

Agreed that hole was there from day one at the factory.-----It is there to keep the upper water tube grommet in place !!!!!!!

 

[Dennischaves]

Um yeah.....that's not a pellet hole

 

[Papa gone fishing]

Thank you for the responses.
Please understand that I'm not trying to be argumentative, but trying to learn.
Take a look at this close up photo.
Are you sure this was from the factory?
I just don't remember this hole being there.
Thanks.

 

[F_R]

Not to toot my own horn, but several knowledgeable people have agreed you are looking at the water tube grommet. Here is a picture of the part if you were to remove it. One of the side ears is what is looking at you through that hole. It does look like some worrisome person may have attempted to fill it with something.

 

[Papa gone fishing]

F_R,
Thank you for the photo of the grommet. Very helpful to me.
Yes, the people here are VERY knowledgeable, and that's why I ask questions until I fully understand.
No offense was meant by questioning the answers, I just wasen't fully getting it.
For what it's worth, if you know my ex-neighbors kid you would understand why I thought perhaps he shot it.
The kid was a real stinker.
My thanks again to everyone.

Papa

 

[MTboatguy]

If you look at that picture, it looks like it has been mission the grommet for quite a while, the residue around the hole looks like it has be underwater and ran. I know sometimes I will spot something on a motor or a part that I never noticed was there before.

 

[jimmbo]

Weird location for a grommet, half way up/down the exhaust housing. Would be a real PITA to install. I've just never seen that particular model of engine