Help me find lower units for my 1972 boatel

[Theboatel6]

So I have a 72 boatel with twin engines and the lower unit are apparently a rare thing
they are merc stern drives
merc lll
or some say it's a tr drive. I'm confused.
Can anyone help me. The casings are cracked behind the prop which is just the. Exhaust cavity. I was going to have them welded and they would take. The old owner drive like that for a couple years but I would like to replace them if possible.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

I doubt you would be able to weld the gearbox without distorting it unusable and that part of the gearbox is what holds the bearing carrier in. I would think it is unsafe operating it that way. As far as spending the time and money for those old drives see if you can get a couple of complete alpha or bravo drives you can actually get parts for? How much is the boat worth to you do a complete survey of the deck and transom to determine the next step.

 

[faztbullet]

Unless you have deep pockets just weld em as plenty of material there unless corroded. I know where 2 brand new units are that have never seen water!!