wear on the upper gear case flange OMC Cobra

[ab59]

I have now got the engine aligned and began cleaning up the mating surface on the gimble . When I got the old gasket and gobs of permatex off I found an area near the shift cable that is ate up . Don't know if a leak caused it or corrosion or what but it is enough to make me concerned . I am considering mixing up some JB Weld and buttering up that area then putting the gasket back on and installing the outdrive , drawing it only hand tight of lightly snugged with a wrench and letting the weld cure. My thinking of course is that the weld will fill the voids and the gasket will press the weld flat making a new surface that will not leak . If you guys have a way to deal with this kind of thing I would like to hear what ways you would suggest . I do not want to replace the gimble unless absolutely necessary.
Here are some pictures of what I am talking about.

 

[ab59]

edit

 

[bruceb58]

That area gets water in there even if without the corrosion you are seeing so I wouldn't worry about it.

What OMC did in later years is came out with a new bellcrank and bushing that the bellcrank rides in and provided a zerk fitting so that you pump in grease and that entire cavity fills with grease. If you don't want to go through the trouble of adding that, fill that entire cavity with grease before you put the drive on.

 

[ab59]

Great , I've got plenty of grease , sure beats the alternative of J B Weld or another case. Thanks and the ESA is coming soon , that should be interesting .