This reminds me of the old days of working with the merc 2.4.s
I didnt know sh@t about them till I bought a boat with triples
Then I became a expert. I,m telling you I had more parts for those motors right down to the needle bearings in the wrist pins.

What I use to do was keep a spare powerhead and a couple lowers kicking around.
That way ya just throw it on and fix ya other.

Good luck
KR

I am sorry if I mislead you, I was told the cuppling was faulty this caused the drive shaft to come apart and I guess the top shaft smashed the flywheel.

Thanks for the well wishes. I am trying to stand by the guy (who has a GREAT rep) in hopes that he'll do the right thing this time around. If it doesn't work out I'll never use him again. I am a very loyal guy BUT I can't afford to pay a part changer to locate the problam by trial and error.

Again thanks for the support.

Choke it was me who snapped the pics of you in your boat south of LBI. I was in the Edmond Fitzgerald Outerlimits with my buddy Joe.

Get that thing together. We plan on doin some runs to AC.

I will post your pics.

Hey Hey Pro !! I saw you , damn your buddies boat is nice. I was just heading in to the public ramp by the causway. That was the end of nicest day I had on the water this year so far, I got a few hours out there with no trouble but with the kids in the boat I was going nice and easy all day.


I look forward to gettin her back and meeting up with you out there, next time give me a shout.

Will Do. JD should be getting his boat back from the motor guy. He has had some mechanical gremlins.

Thats Sucks Big time SKATER Bro ,sorry to hear about your grief ....
ITS A SKATER NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

The sportmaster lower units for the 3.0 motors are a weak link for performance outboards. Mercury needs to step up and redesign them. I don't know anyone who hasn't had issues with them. Good luck, I feel your pain.

Dude, so sorry to hear of your troubles.

Having a "great rep" from others clearly hasn't spilled over to your situation. You also never know what exactly someone else had done to their boat by the guy to deserve a "great rep". He may have sold them a dockline for $10 off....or changed someones oil. I'm not saying this is the case, but I've heard it all!

I'd go to a new mechanic right now before you spend even more. The guy doesn't sound like he's trying to get you back on the water asap either. Even if you are paying for new parts again, I'd expect him to take a look at the work he JUST completed asap. This is not a "we'll get you on the schedule" situation anymore.

Good luck whatever you decide, and I hope this is the last major problem you have!

Here comes my new RANT !!!!!!

So I lost power on the port side remeber, Not sure if I told you that the lower end lossened up considerably You could shake it and it would move side to side slightly. OK Mechanic tells me that the studs coming from the mid section to the lower are no good and won't hold the nuts tight. Says it would be expensive to send out to a machine shop and have those studs removed and new ones put in.
He remembers I had a 3rd motor I purchased awhile back because I have been contiplating going to Trips.
Anyhow he says bring me the 3rd and I'll just swap out mid sections. You'll be good to go.
2 weeks have past and I got a call today, his secretary says Your boat is finished. Ok what do I owe you. She tells me the price - Just under 2 Grand. Two Thousand dollars to swap mid sections. I asked what parts did they need ?? None other than the 2 gaskets. I Asked why so much and she said it was very labor intensive. The mechanics had Over 15 hours of labor in it. She said the mechanic will be in tomorrow to better explain.

Before I talk to him could you please help educate me here guys, to me this seems INSANE.

Does 2 grand seem in the realm to swap out mid sections on a 300X ??

Sorry for *****ing and I am really looking forward to any advice you all could offer.

X

I just called ed riley over at er pro marine in freeport, explained the situation, and he said he could have done it for less that a grand. Also says the studs should have been able to be replaced.