Can this shaft be re-used? Any machine shops around here?

[rme25v]

So I got the lower unit dissembled today on the SeaHorse.


Everything was surprisingly in decent enough shape and the bearings aren't to bad actually. I'm still gonna put new ones in though, they just have standard SKF part numbers on them so hopefully NAPA can order for me (fingers crossed)

Water pump was good! 

Just need new seals in the case but thats easy enough to chase down :-)

The only thing I'm not so sure of is the driveshaft. Its perfectly straight, and the splines are fine. 

It does although have some grooves in it. I've posted a photo, let me know if that's too bad? 

If those grooves are to bad, can anyone reccomend a good machine shop? I don't see why I couldnt just turn that section down and have a stainless sleeve pressed on. Seems like that would be fairly easy to accomplish. The shaft appears to be no longer available....

So...if any of you know any CNC shops please PM me! 




Edit: I know this probably isn't the typical post in this section but this section seems to get the most traffic. Mods: please move to appropriate spot if necessary tks.

[rme25v]

Oh btw...should any of you attempt this project dont do like I did and almost lose the shift detent balls. Theres a little spring in the shaft and when you pull it out the motor beware of flying parts!

I strongly suggest taping a bag over the end of the shaft opening so it'll catch those balls.

[johnr]

New seals will do the trick even with that wear. I removed my driveshaft a couple weeks ago and it looked the same. It is still impervious.

Getting your lower unit grease pressure is a big key to how well it seals.

Using evinrude etec lower unit grease is a good idea too as it encapsulates the water that does get in.

In the event that you did need an improved shaft, I would not expect a stainless sleeve to last very long or provide the correct balance. Too risky in my opinion.

[rme25v]

Good info! Thanks a lot, I've seen much worse wear on crankshafts on car engines, that sealed ok, but I wasn't sure if this was going to be any different. I tend to agree with you that balance would be an issue with a sleeve, much less the probable margin of error involved in machining it.

I'm actually planning on running a mixture of 75W-90 and Lucas additive. I've had great luck with that combo on old transmissions before.

The bearings as it turns out are actually ok, there's a little more end play than Id like to see but judging from how the guts of this motor are pieced together it doesn't look like I'm dealing with very tight tolerances to begin with. The lower unit looks to have about as much "rattle room" as a Kalashnikov rifle hahaha. I was expecting much more of a challenge when I took it apart...

If it works it works though!