1951 Elgin twin with a bent lower unit

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  • October 23, 2015 at 4:31 am #2830
    MonkeyButt
    Participant

      Hi Everyone,
      I recently picked up a 1951Elgin 6HP that had been sitting in a barn for a long time. It had been submerged in freshwater and the never touched again. I got the motor running after some work but then I noticed the lower unit is bent. Not the skeg but the whole thing. Has anyone ever seen this? I have never in all my years seen this. Has anyone ever straightened one? I can get another one cheap but I would like to straighten this one if for nothing else just to say I did it. Any suggestions? Monkey Paws 😯 😯 😯 ❓ ❓ ❓

      http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/ksear … Elgin%2051

      “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

      October 23, 2015 at 6:44 am #25894
      Mumbles
      Participant

        I don’t know how it happens, but, it happens!

        Maybe from coming into the beach sideways?

        October 23, 2015 at 2:22 pm #25904
        frankr
        Participant

          US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

          It’s actually more common than most people think. I’d say the #1 cause would be hitting the ground while on a trailer, and / or hitting bottom while launching from a trailer without first tilting the motor. #2 probably is banging around on the bottom while beached and wave action is beating it up. OMC service manuals tell how to check the parallelism.

          October 23, 2015 at 4:24 pm #25910
          chinewalker
          Participant

            US Member

            Might be easier to find a parts motor. Not an uncommon motor, and not super sought after, so it shouldn’t require a second mortgage or small child… 😉

            October 23, 2015 at 5:21 pm #25911
            MonkeyButt
            Participant

              Thanks guys, I found another lower unit but I am still going to try and straighten this one. When I reassembled the motor there was no binding. What I am thinking of is heat and sideways pressure spread evenly over the side of the lower unit. If it works I will have an idea about repairing them in the future. If not I will just replace it. Any input would be appreciated

              “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

              October 23, 2015 at 9:38 pm #25921
              frankr
              Participant

                US MEMBER PAY BY CHECK

                Wow, your Elgin is seriously bent. What you need to do is remove the powerhead so you can see if the drive shaft is centered after your straightening attempt. If off center, even slightly, it will eventually break from being bent back and forth each time it rotates. Can also wear out the splines.

                October 24, 2015 at 12:17 pm #25963
                greg-o
                Participant

                  US Member

                  I see a lot of people launch boats with the motor down. I am always uneasy about doing that, especially on a shallow ramp.

                  Might try laying it across a wood 4×4 and with someone help, stand on it, lightly bounce on it. Then check drive shaft alignment. But if I had a parts motor, it would become a doner. Don’t want to ruin the splines on a good power head.

                  October 24, 2015 at 12:20 pm #25964
                  greg-o
                  Participant

                    US Member

                    BTW, I kind of like the old Elgins. They were by no means comparable to Johnson, but I like the simplicity of them, and they seem pretty reliable.

                    October 25, 2015 at 7:26 pm #26051
                    MonkeyButt
                    Participant

                      Well I looked at the lower unit and it is beyond repair. I tried the heat, boards and even a rain dance but no good. Plus there is a crack near the prop but the power head is in nice shape.I have posted a WTB for a replacement lower unit. After that I remembered I threw one away last summer. Hopefully someone has one they are willing to part with. Wish me luck

                      “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” ― Martin Luther King Jr.

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