Lower unit replacements
 

I've been shopping for a replacement lower unit and was expecting to
pay around $2000 for a new one or $1200-$1500 for used or
remanufactured (for a 200hp Mariner). And that's what I've been
finding.
BUT......
I'm also running across ads and distributors selling brand new lower
units for $700 - $800 bucks. They're not made by the original engine
manufacturer but instead by an independent. The ones I've seen most
are manufactured by someone in Florida and come with a 3 year
warranty.
Needless to say, I'm a little skeptical due to the price difference
and the fact that this is something new to me. I didn't realize anyone
but the original manufacturer would make this type part.
Has anyone here bought one of these lower units? Or know anyone who
has? Or have an idea whether or not they're worth risking the money?

Rick

Lower unit replacements
 

On Thu, 21 May 09, PhantMan wrote:
I've been shopping for a replacement lower unit and was expecting to
pay around $2000 for a new one or $1200-$1500 for used or
remanufactured (for a 200hp Mariner). And that's what I've been
finding.
BUT......
I'm also running across ads and distributors selling brand new lower
units for $700 - $800 bucks. They're not made by the original engine
manufacturer but instead by an independent. The ones I've seen most
are manufactured by someone in Florida and come with a 3 year
warranty.
Needless to say, I'm a little skeptical due to the price difference
and the fact that this is something new to me. I didn't realize anyone
but the original manufacturer would make this type part.
Has anyone here bought one of these lower units? Or know anyone who
has? Or have an idea whether or not they're worth risking the money?

On Thu, 21 May 09, gfretwell wrote
New manufacture or "remanufactured". I find it hard to believe someone
could tool up to make a lower end from scratch cheaper than the OEM
but if they are rebuilding the castings using new bearings and seals
(shafts and gears as required) it might be a reasonable deal.

I was thinking the same thing but I keep finding ads claiming the
"remanufactured" units are rebuilt so are thus dependent on old parts.
And these units are "new".

Here's a snippet from the home page of SEI Sterndrives:

-Quote-
The company makes replacement sterndrives for MerCruiser's® Alpha One®
and Gen II stern drives and replacement outboard lower units for
Mercury®, Johnson/Evinrude® and Yamaha®. Sterndrive Engineering's
Outdrives are not remanufactured, they are entirely new. The SEI
drives are made of parts that are completely compatible and
interchangeable with the OEM. The drives are assembled at SEI's
factory in Oldsmar, Florida.
_Unquote-

Here's the link:
http://www.sterndrive.cc/

Doesn't sound ambiguous to me. Just hard to believe.
But if they're new, and of good quality, I can use one at that price
right about now. So that's why I was hoping to find someone who has
already rolled the dice and willing to give me the benefit of their
experience. I don't even know where Oldsmar is! That's not in your
neighborhood, huh?

Rick

Lower unit replacements
 

On Thu, 21 May 09, PhantMan wrote:
I've been shopping for a replacement lower unit and was expecting to
pay around $2000 for a new one or $1200-$1500 for used or
remanufactured (for a 200hp Mariner). And that's what I've been
finding.
BUT......
I'm also running across ads and distributors selling brand new lower
units for $700 - $800 bucks. They're not made by the original engine
manufacturer but instead by an independent. The ones I've seen most
are manufactured by someone in Florida and come with a 3 year
warranty.
Needless to say, I'm a little skeptical due to the price difference
and the fact that this is something new to me. I didn't realize anyone
but the original manufacturer would make this type part.
Has anyone here bought one of these lower units? Or know anyone who
has? Or have an idea whether or not they're worth risking the money?

On Thu, 21 May 09, gfretwell wrote
New manufacture or "remanufactured". I find it hard to believe someone
could tool up to make a lower end from scratch cheaper than the OEM
but if they are rebuilding the castings using new bearings and seals
(shafts and gears as required) it might be a reasonable deal.

On Thu, 21 May 09, PhantMan wrote:
I was thinking the same thing but I keep finding ads claiming the
"remanufactured" units are rebuilt so are thus dependent on old parts.
And these units are "new".

Here's a snippet from the home page of SEI Sterndrives:

-Quote-
The company makes replacement sterndrives for MerCruiser's® Alpha One®
and Gen II stern drives and replacement outboard lower units for
Mercury®, Johnson/Evinrude® and Yamaha®. Sterndrive Engineering's
Outdrives are not remanufactured, they are entirely new. The SEI
drives are made of parts that are completely compatible and
interchangeable with the OEM. The drives are assembled at SEI's
factory in Oldsmar, Florida.
_Unquote-

Here's the link:
http://www.sterndrive.cc/

Doesn't sound ambiguous to me. Just hard to believe.
But if they're new, and of good quality, I can use one at that price
right about now. So that's why I was hoping to find someone who has
already rolled the dice and willing to give me the benefit of their
experience. I don't even know where Oldsmar is! That's not in your
neighborhood, huh?

On Thu, 21 May 09, gfretwell wrote:
I am surprised but not shocked. .
I guess this particular merc foot is so commonly used that it is a
commodity. There may just be a "leak" in the chinese factory that
makes the castings ;-)

LoL!
Well, if you hear anything from an independent source, good or bad,
lemme know. I need a lower unit and I'd prefer a new one if the
quality is there.

Cheers,
Rick

Lower unit replacements
 

On May 21, 6:56�pm, wrote:
On Thu, 21 May 09, PhantMan wrote:
I've been shopping for a replacement lower unit and was expecting to
pay around $2000 for a new one or $1200-$1500 for used or
remanufactured (for a 200hp Mariner). And that's what I've been
finding.
BUT......
I'm also running across ads and distributors selling brand new lower
units for $700 - $800 bucks. �They're not made by the original engine
manufacturer but instead by an independent. �The ones I've seen most
are manufactured by someone in Florida and come with a �3 year
warranty.
Needless to say, I'm a little skeptical due to the price difference
and the fact that this is something new to me. I didn't realize anyone
but the original manufacturer would make this type part.
Has anyone here bought one of these lower units? Or know anyone who
has? Or have an idea whether or not they're worth risking the money?

On Thu, 21 May 09, gfretwell wrote





New manufacture or "remanufactured". I find it hard to believe someone
could tool up to make a lower end from scratch cheaper than the OEM
but if they are rebuilding the castings using new bearings and seals
(shafts and gears as required) it might be a reasonable deal.
On Thu, 21 May 09, PhantMan wrote:
I was thinking the same thing but I keep finding ads claiming the
"remanufactured" units are rebuilt so are thus dependent on old parts.
And these units are "new".

Here's a snippet from the home page of SEI Sterndrives:

-Quote-
The company makes replacement sterndrives for MerCruiser's� Alpha One�
and Gen II stern drives and replacement outboard lower units for
Mercury�, Johnson/Evinrude� and Yamaha�. Sterndrive Engineering's
Outdrives are not remanufactured, they are entirely new. The SEI
drives are made of parts that are completely compatible and
interchangeable with the OEM. The drives are assembled at SEI's
factory in Oldsmar, Florida.
_Unquote-

Here's the link:
http://www.sterndrive.cc/

Doesn't sound ambiguous to me. Just hard to believe.
But if they're new, and of good quality, I can use one at that price
right about now. So that's why I was hoping to find someone �who has
already rolled the dice and willing to give me the benefit of their
experience. I don't even know where Oldsmar is! �That's not in your
neighborhood, huh?
On Thu, 21 May 09, gfretwell wrote:
I am surprised but not shocked. .
I guess this particular merc foot is so commonly used that it is a
commodity. There may just be a "leak" in the chinese factory that
makes the castings �;-)

LoL!
Well, if you hear anything from an independent source, good or bad,
lemme know. I need a lower unit and I'd prefer a new one if the
quality is there.

Cheers,
Rick- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

As with everything in life (and especially boats for some
reason :-) ) if it seems too good to be true........it is.
Good luck and please post your findings.
Mike

Lower unit replacements
 

On Thu, 21 May 09, PhantMan wrote:
LoL!
Well, if you hear anything from an independent source, good or bad,
lemme know. I need a lower unit and I'd prefer a new one if the
quality is there.

On Fri, 22 May 09, gfretwell wrote:
Once you get past the casting the rest is pretty much commodity items
so if the casting is good it should be OK.
I still bet a significant amount of the actual hardware is Chinese but
they are actually getting better. I can remember when Japanese
products were considered junk.
On my Merc 60 the only significant mechanical part that is a US design
is the lower unit (the power head is a Yamaha design) but I wouldn't
be surprised if a large part of it was made in China

This part, " I wouldn't be surprised if a large part of it was made in
China" is what worries me. I personally have had some pretty crappy
luck with the quality of several Chinese products from generators to
lag bolts. SEI says they have a 3 year warranty though.... which begs
the question... will they actually stand behind it? Which is why I'd
really like to hear a review or two (or more) of the lower unit and
the company and the warraty. Still, somebody who's bought and/or used
one may turn up here eventually. I'm not in an emergency situation so
I'll be shopping around for awhile yet.

Rick

Lower unit replacements
 

On Fri, 22 May 09 17:32, PhantMan wrote:
The case is ruptured and the metal is pushed outwards like water
freeze damage, but it hasn't been that cold here in years. Besides, I
check for water now and then so I trust that my seals were good.
Anyway, I don't think it was a water problem. I'm not sure what
happened or when though. I just happen to notice it at the launch ramp
as I was about to put in one day. I hadn't launched it in a month (and
no cold weather at all during that time) It goes into gear and sounds
normal, and the prop spins forward and reverse like nothing at all is
wrong with it. Just a cracked casing.

My least expensive option is just have the metal pushed back in and
the crack welded shut. I'd never trust it again though.
So I was quoted a rebuild at $1200 including a used casing. I don't
have the time to do it myself... although I'm finding more time on my
hands as the economy continues to suck. The unit is off the engine now
but I haven't opened it up since it's worth a $200 core credit towards
a remanufactured unit no matter what's wrong with it. If this "new"
unit works out (no core charge), I might open it up out of curiosity
just to see what the hell is going on in there (I wouldn't have to
worry about getting it back together).

So I've been looking online, Ebay, etc for a used lower unit or
remanufactured with "new" as my most expensive but least worrisome
option. Then I ran across these ads for a "new" lower unit for less
than I can have mine rebuilt. Like I said, I'm skeptical. But I
haven't been able to find anyone that has ANYthing to say about them
bad OR good.

Anyhow..... that's where I am now.

Rick

On Sat, 23 May 09, gfretwell wrote:
Since Bob's seems to be an independent dealer for SEI you might want
to talk to them about the warranty and how well these are performing,
bearing in mind he does sell them. If they were a real pain you might
hear him trying to steer you another way.
At a certain point no news may be good news about these things. The
fact that they are sold on the internet and google is not bringing up
people griping about them may mean they are OK.

I am curious about what the original problem was.
Was there enough oil left in the unit to see if it had water in it?
I do know that bad seal water problem can come up pretty suddenly.
One day on the water can fill that lower unit up if you have a bad top
shaft seal. (where the water pump is) The water will displace the air
and you whole unit will be full of liquid so it won't take much cold
to crack the case. The water will be at the bottom so that is where I
would expect the case to blow out.
At this point I agree, it is just an academic exercise.
I am glad it doesn't freeze here. When I found mine it was all water.
(bad top seal) :-(

Good points.
I've been convinced it couldn't have been water but now I'm not so
sure. The rupture is low on the forward end of the port side, next to
the skeg. In storage, I normally leave the motor tilted down. But if
it had been turned to port as usual (putting the cable end inside the
tilt tube) and tilted up (which is not usual), that would have put the
rupture at the absolute bottom as far as water would be concerned,
which would leave nothing in there to drain..... and there was
nothing. So that part makes a lot of sense.

But that leaves the question of weather. It was Winter but I don't
remember a freeze at all. And certainly not below 30 degrees. And even
if at possibly 32-30, couldn't have been for more than an hour or so
at the most, during the night. It happens, but not very often around
here, so when it does happen, it's a news worthy and memorable event.
On the other hand, failure of my memory is neither news worthy NOR
memorable lol!

Anyhow, I'll try to "remember" to call Bob's next week, for a price
and to see what other information they may have to offer.

Rick

Lower unit replacements
 

On May 23, 8:30*am, wrote:
On Fri, 22 May 09 17:32, PhantMan wrote:
The case is ruptured and the metal is pushed outwards like water
freeze damage, but it hasn't been that cold here in years. Besides, I
check for water now and then so I trust that my seals were good.
Anyway, I don't think it was a water problem. *I'm not sure what
happened or when though. I just happen to notice it at the launch ramp
as I was about to put in one day. I hadn't launched it in a month (and
no cold weather at all during that time) *It goes into gear and sounds
normal, and the prop spins forward and reverse like nothing at all is
wrong with it. *Just a cracked casing.

My least expensive option is just have the metal pushed back in and
the crack welded shut. *I'd never trust it again though.
So I was quoted a rebuild at $1200 including a used casing. I don't
have the time to do it myself... although I'm finding more time on my
hands as the economy continues to suck. The unit is off the engine now
but I haven't opened it up since it's worth a $200 core credit towards
a remanufactured unit no matter what's wrong with it. *If this "new"
unit works out (no core charge), I might open it up out of curiosity
just to see what the hell is going on in there (I wouldn't have to
worry about getting it back together). *

So I've been looking online, Ebay, etc for a used lower unit or
remanufactured with "new" as my most expensive but least worrisome
option. Then I ran across these ads for a "new" lower unit for less
than I can have mine rebuilt. Like I said, I'm skeptical. But I
haven't been able to find anyone that has ANYthing to say about them
bad OR good.

Anyhow..... that's where I am now.

Rick
On Sat, 23 May 09, gfretwell wrote:
Since Bob's seems to be an independent dealer for SEI you might want
to talk to them about the warranty and how well these are performing,
bearing in mind he does sell them. If they were a real pain you might
hear him trying to steer you another way.
At a certain point no news may be good news about these things. The
fact that they are sold on the internet and google is not bringing up
people griping about them may mean they are OK.

I am curious about what the original problem was.
Was there enough oil left in the unit to see if it had water in it?
I do know that bad seal water problem can come up pretty suddenly.
One day on the water can fill that lower unit up if you have a bad top
shaft seal. (where the water pump is) The water will displace the air
and you whole unit will be full of liquid so it won't take much cold
to crack the case. The water will be at the bottom so that is where I
would expect the case to blow out.
At this point I agree, it is just an academic exercise.
I am glad it doesn't freeze here. When I found mine it was all water.
(bad top seal) * :-(

Good points.
I've been convinced it couldn't have been water but now I'm not so
sure. The rupture is low on the forward end of the port side, next to
the skeg. *In storage, I normally leave the motor tilted down. But if
it had been turned to port as usual (putting the cable end inside the
tilt tube) and tilted up (which is not usual), that would have put the
rupture at the absolute bottom as far as water would be concerned,
which would leave nothing in there to drain..... and there was
nothing. *So that part makes a lot of sense.

But that leaves the question of weather. It was Winter but I don't
remember a freeze at all. And certainly not below 30 degrees. And even
if at possibly 32-30, couldn't have been for more than an hour or so
at the most, during the night. *It happens, but not very often around
here, so when it does happen, it's a news worthy and memorable event.
On the other hand, failure of my memory is neither news worthy NOR
memorable lol!

Anyhow, I'll try to "remember" to call Bob's next week, for a price
and to see what other information they may have to offer.

Rick- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Your problem may be worse than you think. I doubt it's freeze damage.
I'd guess it's more likely something came loose internally; a chipped
gear, fractured needle, etc. and got carried around by the gearset and
wedged between it and the case causing an outward fracture.

I had heard about the SEI replacements for Merc Alpha's, and yes they
are new built from scratch units, but didn't know they had branched
out into replacements for outboards. I have a 200HP Yamaha that I
bought as a parts motor that has a crack in the lower unit caused by
corrosion and expansion of the bearing carrier:

http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/200 Yammmie/09.jpg

While the crack isn't into the gearset area I have been told by
different experts that it may run for ever or if left unattended
eventually it will spit its guts out the back. I don't know who to
believe but I'd buy an SEI replacement @ $795 before having this one
repaired.

Lower unit replacements
 

On Fri, 22 May 09 17:32, PhantMan wrote:
The case is ruptured and the metal is pushed outwards like water
freeze damage, but it hasn't been that cold here in years. Besides, I
check for water now and then so I trust that my seals were good.
Anyway, I don't think it was a water problem. *I'm not sure what
happened or when though. I just happen to notice it at the launch ramp
as I was about to put in one day. I hadn't launched it in a month (and
no cold weather at all during that time) *It goes into gear and sounds
normal, and the prop spins forward and reverse like nothing at all is
wrong with it. *Just a cracked casing.

My least expensive option is just have the metal pushed back in and
the crack welded shut. *I'd never trust it again though.
So I was quoted a rebuild at $1200 including a used casing. I don't
have the time to do it myself... although I'm finding more time on my
hands as the economy continues to suck. The unit is off the engine now
but I haven't opened it up since it's worth a $200 core credit towards
a remanufactured unit no matter what's wrong with it. *If this "new"
unit works out (no core charge), I might open it up out of curiosity
just to see what the hell is going on in there (I wouldn't have to
worry about getting it back together). *

So I've been looking online, Ebay, etc for a used lower unit or
remanufactured with "new" as my most expensive but least worrisome
option. Then I ran across these ads for a "new" lower unit for less
than I can have mine rebuilt. Like I said, I'm skeptical. But I
haven't been able to find anyone that has ANYthing to say about them
bad OR good.
Anyhow..... that's where I am now.
Rick

On Sat, 23 May 09, gfretwell wrote:
Since Bob's seems to be an independent dealer for SEI you might want
to talk to them about the warranty and how well these are performing,
bearing in mind he does sell them. If they were a real pain you might
hear him trying to steer you another way.
At a certain point no news may be good news about these things. The
fact that they are sold on the internet and google is not bringing up
people griping about them may mean they are OK.

I am curious about what the original problem was.
Was there enough oil left in the unit to see if it had water in it?
I do know that bad seal water problem can come up pretty suddenly.
One day on the water can fill that lower unit up if you have a bad top
shaft seal. (where the water pump is) The water will displace the air
and you whole unit will be full of liquid so it won't take much cold
to crack the case. The water will be at the bottom so that is where I
would expect the case to blow out.
At this point I agree, it is just an academic exercise.
I am glad it doesn't freeze here. When I found mine it was all water.
(bad top seal) * :-(

On May 23, 8:30*am, PhantMan wrote:
Good points.
I've been convinced it couldn't have been water but now I'm not so
sure. The rupture is low on the forward end of the port side, next to
the skeg. *In storage, I normally leave the motor tilted down. But if
it had been turned to port as usual (putting the cable end inside the
tilt tube) and tilted up (which is not usual), that would have put the
rupture at the absolute bottom as far as water would be concerned,
which would leave nothing in there to drain..... and there was
nothing. *So that part makes a lot of sense.

But that leaves the question of weather. It was Winter but I don't
remember a freeze at all. And certainly not below 30 degrees. And even
if at possibly 32-30, couldn't have been for more than an hour or so
at the most, during the night. *It happens, but not very often around
here, so when it does happen, it's a news worthy and memorable event.
On the other hand, failure of my memory is neither news worthy NOR
memorable lol!

Anyhow, I'll try to "remember" to call Bob's next week, for a price
and to see what other information they may have to offer.
Rick

On Sat, 23 May 09, Monkey Butler wrote:
Your problem may be worse than you think. I doubt it's freeze damage.
I'd guess it's more likely something came loose internally; a chipped
gear, fractured needle, etc. and got carried around by the gearset and
wedged between it and the case causing an outward fracture.

I had heard about the SEI replacements for Merc Alpha's, and yes they
are new built from scratch units, but didn't know they had branched
out into replacements for outboards. I have a 200HP Yamaha that I
bought as a parts motor that has a crack in the lower unit caused by
corrosion and expansion of the bearing carrier:

http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/200/Yammmie/09.jpg

While the crack isn't into the gearset area I have been told by
different experts that it may run for ever or if left unattended
eventually it will spit its guts out the back. I don't know who to
believe but I'd buy an SEI replacement @ $795 before having this one
repaired.

Some sort of drive train failure had been my first suspect but, if it
happened when I was last in the water, the whole episode was
incredibly quiet when when it blew. And I've since cranked up the
engine on a hose and put it in gear forward and reverse with no noise
and no ill indication whatsoever. All sounds normal, right down to the
usual "clunk" when it goes into gear. And the drain plug magnet is
clean as a whistle. That's why I'm still a little stumpedified.

It's good to know you have some confidence in the SEI units. Do you
think you'll ever buy one for your motor, rather than using it for
parts? If you do, lemme know!
And even if you run across anyone that owns one or uses one.... or has
even seen one with their own two eyes.... I would appreciate any
feedback.

Thanks,
Rick
PS Btw, I wasn't able to get your link to work. I don't know if the
problem is on your end or mine.

Lower unit replacements
 

On May 23, 1:26*pm, wrote:

PS *Btw, I wasn't able to get your link to work. *I don't know if the
problem is on your end or mine. *- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Copy the URL, including the Yammmie/09.jpg and paste it in your
browser address line. There is a space before the Yammmie so the link
doesn't work.

Lower unit replacements
 

On May 23, PhantMan wrote:
PS *Btw, I wasn't able to get your link to work. *I don't know if the
problem is on your end or mine.

On Sat, 23 May 09, loogypicker wrote:
Copy the URL, including the Yammmie/09.jpg and paste it in your
browser address line. There is a space before the Yammmie so the link
doesn't work.

Like this??
http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/200Yammmie/09.jpg

Still doesn't work.

What about.....
http://www.monkeybutler.com/boat/200/Yammmie/09.jpg

Nope.... still doesn't work.

If you're able to make it work again, how's about pasting it into a
reply for us.
TIA