HOLY CORROSION! That thing looks like it has been sitting on the bottom of the sea for 20 years!Fitz where can one get this Mercury Perfect Seal you speak of? I have heard it is not a good idea to use standard anti-seize compound on items used in salt water.
That's some amazing corrosion. It looks like something from the Bahamas related to the salinity of the water. Obviously, you guys have some pretty serious salt water in the northern latitudes. You may want consider chromate and paint for the oil tank from the other engine maybe some extra zincs on the cav plate or skeg. I strongly recommend using Mercury Perfect Seal compound on your screws and gasket surfaces; it stops that corrosion creep between surfaces. I've used it for 20 years and swear by it! 10 years from now, in saltwater, it will come apart if you use it...
What could possibly go wrong!?!? Well I got the motor back together last night. Used the upr casing and the complete power head off the totaled motorLwr unit, tilt assembly and handle off the corroded engine.Darn thing fired right up I was concerned about using the carb off the engine that sat all those years but she runs great...Only problem is the water isn't getting to the power head :( and the shift lever won't go in reverse, it will if you spin the prop first then try.I installed a new impeller. Ran the motor on a hose, water wasn't coming out the pee hole, I am pretty sure it wasn't getting to the powerhead cause it started to get hot. A friend has the same engine and he says his shift lever won't go in reverse either when he is running it on a hose, but has no problem with it out in the water. Maybe I don't have a problem there, just doesn't make sense to me, does that make any sense to you guys ?Going drop the lower unit tonight and try to figure out what up with the water issue, any thing I need to look for ? Could it be a stuck thermostat ? Will try one more time.Can't be messing around too much longer with this kicker...salmon season opens in 2 weeks.In the mean time going start calling around to get some prices on a new kicker. Bill