Pitted Driveshaft

[Joe Blizzard]

E4RLCUD, ​

1987 Evinrude Yachtwin 4
On a scale of "it'll be fine" to "that'll never work," how would you rate this driveshaft? The pitted stripe is where the two back-to-back gearcase seals ride.

 

[joereeves]

Tough one!! With all those imperfection whirling against those seals, it just seems logical that the seals aren't going to last long.

Many years ago, I had a 40hp driveshaft in similar condition... actually a little worse. It so happened that a fellow that had a machine shop was at the marina and heard me telling the owner about it. He (the machine shop fellow) took the driveshaft, cut it down ever so slightly (completely around the shaft, filled it in with brass, then cut it down to specifications... worked fine, still is to my knowledge.

Something to think about.

 

[kevinj]

As-is, I'd say that's a goner. I'll chime in with Joe, the seals won't last long riding on that imperfect surface and they won't seal well either. If you can find a skilled machinist like Joe mentions you can probably bring this one back to life. If not you'll need to buy new or find a good used one.

Standard length $150:
http://www.marineengine.com/newparts/part_details.php?pnum=OMC0391594

Long Shaft $233:
http://www.marineengine.com/newparts/part_details.php?pnum=OMC0391595

 

[timguy]

Joe Blizzard, try Tim's Outboard in Hackensack MN. He might have a clean Minnesota shaft for cheap. Only a phone call away. 218 682 2331

 

[Joe Blizzard]

Thanks for the lead, Tim, and for confirming what I suspected, Joe and Kevin. The good news is the innards of the gearcase are pristine, including the prop shaft and all those little needle bearings. Maybe most of that corrosion happened in storage.

 

[racerone]

In the past I have machined a " thinwall " stainless sleeve.----Wall thickness of 0.010" so that same seal could be used.

 

[timguy]

That works too. Remember the repair sleeve we commonly used on Chevy harmonic balancers? Heat slightly and slip it on, using standard size seal. I size my own seals sometimes, creating a smooth surface, then order a custom seal size from a company here in Duluth (Motion Industries). You can order virtually any size and quality seal you want.
In Joe's case here, I might consider turning down the pitted area, then order the new seals with an adjusted I.D.