Hi Everyone...
I have just purchased a very nice "looking" 86 290 TM. Spotless newer Crusaders with minimal hours, every piece of paper including build sheets and owners manuals for each component of the boat right down to the Morse controls and wire colors for bridge. Its pretty amazing. Hull looks good, some spidering topside, deck is good, interior is almost showroom and no windlass to soften forward topside. Everything is pretty much factory from what I see. Someone loved this boat. I will get some pics next time I get up to the boat yard.
Now to the bad, the port side drivetrain has been damaged. The port prop shaft strut is bent over further to port about 2.5-3 inches and the drive will not hold fluid. There is not a mark anywhere. Almost like a haulout/trailering accident. I have separated the shaft coupling and the output shaft coupling spins freely by hand in any gear while grinding. I am hoping to separate the reduction gear from the drive, pull the shaft and address the 3 issues: Shaft, Strut, Reduction gear. I will probably have to separate the exhaust for a better work area. A couple questions... Can I heat and bend the strut back to a laser line thru to the output shaft? Seems simple enough, there is the exact same boat on stilts next to mine so I can use it as a model. I understand it needs to perfect and that's how I would do it (if possible, thinking its worth a shot unless told otherwise). I do barely have access to the 6 strut bolts 1/3 of the way under a gas tank if replacement is an option. Anyone have a port side strut laying around? Next, can I separate the reduction gear from the drive in place? Is it possible (hopeful) the damage is only in the reduction gear? And again, Does anyone have one laying around (the number 72 comes to mind when I think of the velvet drive and I will get the specs)? Lastly, I can probably get the shaft straightened if no one has one... I think you guys get the point of what I am up against. I am not a rich individual but handy and would like to get the family out on the water next season. (on this boat). Any suggestions on approach, parts, etc is greatly appreciated.