Low budget Mud Motor

[acdc96]

I want to make a mud motor for my Jon boat. I want to keep the costs low. $100 excluding the engine. I have a welder and a lot of tools to make it ( I don't have any lathes or milling machines). I can get a motor from 4hp - 10hp. I have a basic idea of how I'm gonna make one. My dilemma is how to make the drive shaft. I know I have to put a universal joint on the motor end but the shaft going from the joint to the prop is really got me puzzled. I don't know what to make it out of and how to support it within the frame (bearings). Should I use a solid drive shaft or a pipe?
Any plans for my problem would help me.
The type of mud motor I'm building is a long tail with a horizontal shaft engine.
Thanks in advance.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Low budget Mud Motor

It can't be done in a way that will be reliable for $100. $600 including the engine would be difficult.
You need a 6' joint of DOM tubing for the shaft housing, bronze bushings (at the least and cheapest way) for the middle and each end of the shaft, and double seals on both ends. The shaft itself can be made out of 3/4" cold rolled steel, but must be machined for a keyway on one end and 3/4-10 threads on the other end for the prop. The prop alone will run about $150 if you get one worth having unless you can find a used one.
Mudmotors.com is a good site for detailed info if you search the archives.
Sorry, I don't believe it can be done for anywhere near $100. 16hp motors are available at maxtool.com for $300--I've bought 2 and had good luck out of them. I've had 6-$800 tied up in the ones I've built. I'm sure it can be done cheaper, but not a lot cheaper----as far as I know.....
JMO,
JBJ