Outdrive snapped in half!

[chubbybunny]

As a novice boater I could really use some help! I have a '89 160 Searay with a 3.0L engine and an alpha 1 gen 1 outdrive.
Here's my problem - I was running almost full throttle when I hit something in the water. We belive it was a log, but didn't see it afterwards. Anyway, whatever I hit snapped the upperdrive clean in two right below where it bolts to the gimble housing. I shut the engine down right away and broke out the paddles
So, my questions are: 1. should I replace the entire outdrive or just the upper portion? 2. If the enitre drive, are aftermarket drives as good as Mercruiser drives? Compatible aftermarket drives seem a lot cheaper in price. And finally, 3. what kind of engine damage could have been done having gone from full load to nothing in a second? I haven't started the engine because I wanted some advice before I messed anything else up. I realize from a lot of reading on this forum that gimble bearing, bellows, and impeller are going to be replaced while it's all torn down. Th

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

If you have insurance, they will cover this.

 

[QC]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Welcome aboard chub! Sorry to hear of the troubles.

You can find the SEI drives right here at iboats. Most believe the quality is pretty good. Do a search and these drives have been discussed a lot.

Usually the engine concern in your situation is overspeed and generally focuses on what is called valve "float". This is when the RPM is so high that the Valve inertia is so high that the spring can't close it before the piston comes up and smacks it. That would be bad as they generally knock the head off of the valve and things go to ship from there. If the really bad stuff has started, then you could see evidence of that with a peek under the valve cover. Any of the valve and spring combos that looked different would be a decent indicator of issues . . .

 

[chubbybunny]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Unfortunately, I only have liabilty on the boat so I'm going to have to eat this one. I'll take the valve cover off and take a look. Hoping for the best! Thanks guys for the help. I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me!
Brad

 

[wbh3569]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Just my .02 cents but once you have the drive off you may want to get a mechanic to look over the transom REALY good also. When you hit something running full throtle the outdrive was not the only thing that absorbed all that force, I have seen them split the transom where the gimbal housing attaches. Good luck!

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Sounds exciting. Glad no one was hurt.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Any pics?

Sorry to hear about your luck. And i'll give a yes vote on inspecting the transom and also the steering and gimbal ring.

 

[Don S]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

That whole transome shield assembly needs inspected. Inside and out.
I have seen them pull studs out of the transom shield before.

 

[chubbybunny]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Okay here are a few pics of the drive. In the last picture you can see some damage caused when it snapped - the leading edge of the skeg has a piece missing (must have been from whatever I hit), and the fin above the prop has a chunk missing from where it hit the top corner of the upper drive (not sure if it shows up in the first pic). Anyway, I haven't had a chance to work on it yet, or pull the valve cover. Hopefully I'll get a chance today or tomorrow. Thank you guys for the advice up to this point.

 

[chubbybunny]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Sorry. Don't know why the pics didn't transfer. Second try!

 

[Juniinc]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

I wonder, if U can weld those 2 pieces back together,,,

 

[solar7647]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

I wonder, if U can weld those 2 pieces back together,,,

You could, but prob shouldnt!!!!
Its good to see no one ws hurt!

Several people have said this but you need to inspect the transom and bell housing. There is no need replacing the lower unit and upper unit if there is a hidden problem some place else.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

I love those pics!!!!


On a scale of 1-10....I give that a solid 15.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Wow,


Pretty clean "break"!


Your "lower" is probably undamaged. You could probably just replace the "upper" with a good used one. But if you bought a new one it would probably be more than a new SEI drive.

As just about everyone above has already suggested, You should carefully inspect the gimble, transom and gimbal mounting studs etc.


This means, remove drive, engine and gimbal......


Sorry about that.....



Rick

 

[bomar76]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Got to ask......it looks like it completely seperated in the water.
How on earth did you ever find the lower (well the bottom half)?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

Got to ask......it looks like it completely seperated in the water.
How on earth did you ever find the lower (well the bottom half)?

It looks like it might have stayed connected to the trim cyls?

 

[bomar76]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

It looks like it might have stayed connected to the trim cyls?

I would have thought it would have ripped the trim cylinders in half....

 

[JustJason]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

good god man... glad your okay. Your very lucky nobody got thrown from the boat with a hit like that!

 

[cpubud]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

I think with a good buffer you could fix that right up lol. glad no one was hurt.

 

[xltier]

Re: Outdrive snapped in half!

I think with a good buffer you could fix that right up lol. glad no one was hurt.

did you forget the duck tape?