Toasted my outboard lower unit - ever heard of SEI?
 

Motor is a 2000 OMC Evinrude 225 with standard lower.

Yesterday my lower unit decided to give out a bit. Heard/felt a vibration and as I slowed the vibration and noise got worse. Headed home on 1 motor. Firing up the motor on hose in neutral, you can feel and hear the vibration at the bullet. Also there is a fine vibration (like bad bearings) when I turn the prop by hand.

Everything still "works" - but is noisy and vibrates, thus I don't know the extent of damage. I assume I took out the gearset - LOTS and LOTS of shavings, some chunks too. Prop shaft will turn by had in neutral with some grinding. Drive shaft VERY difficult to turn in neutral and severe grinding. Put in gear and the only way the driveshaft would turn is with the motor, can not turn by hand. Seems to shift "ok" despite all the shavings.

I have heard the OEM lowers on these older Evinrudes were weak. Not 100% sure if this lower had ever been rebuilt by previous owner, but I think it was. I also heard the rebuild parts are now good quality.

My question is: rebuild or replace lower with an SEI replacement lower unit?

http://www.sterndrive.cc/mm5/merchan...nrudeLowerUnit


Looking on line - just the cost of a gear set exceeds the SEI cost. I gotta say, not having to wait for rebuild process, easy direct bolt up and a 3 year warranty looks GREAT to me right now.

Another thought - What would be better; an SEI gear case or a new Evinrude gear case? Again, I assume the newer gear cases are better than what OMC built?
replacement?

I know 99% of OSO is sterndrives - but it never hurts to ask.
So what you guys think?

I belong to a site called the hull truth. They talk about the SEI's alot (they are mostly outboard guys) and last time I read about them they were having good luck with them. I would go over there and do some searches and reading and see what you think.

I belong to same and have been checking it out too.

I knew you were over there and figured you'd already asked.......for the cost, what will you loose by buying an SEI and holding onto your OEM to rebuild later IF you decide you need to.

I've ran one on my PP for about 5 years now. Mechanically it's performed with no issues. Cosmetically I don't think thew paint quality is as good as an OEM.

I have heard good things about them from different marine mechanics. I only heard of one prop shaft that was a 1/4" longer.

I use them and have had good luck with them. The casting finish on the outside is not OEM quality but that is not what you are paying for.

used many of there sterndrives with few issues except paint/finish. One of the marinas with rentals in Key West uses there lowers to replace all the damaged ones.

I have installed a few of the Mercruiser Alpha One replacements from SEI. No issues, and the 3 year warranty is pretty hard to beat.

Check over at Screem and Fly they are all outboard guys with good info.............