Yamaha F-150 lower unit

Hookup1

Hookup1

GreatGrady Captain
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
3,554
Reaction score
1,004
Points
113
Age
71
Location
Cape May, NJ
Model
Islander
My mechanic found a bent shaft on my 2006 LF150TXR 64PX F-150. Unfortunately he can't get the shaft out with all the brute force he applied. I'm going to have to replace the 25" lower unit.

Does anyone have experience with SEI (Sterndrive Engineering, Inc.)? They are building new lower units (not refurbished).

Also trying to confirm a part number for a a left rotation 25" shaft. This is what I found... 63P-45300-15-8D
 
Last edited:
Hookup1 said:
My mechanic found a bent shaft on my 2006 LF150TXR 64PX F-150. Unfortunately he can't get the shaft out with all the brute force he applied. I'm going to have to replace the 25" lower unit.

Does anyone have experience with SEI (Sterndrive Engineering, Inc.)? They are building new lower units (not refurbished).

Also trying to confirm a part number for a a left rotation 25" shaft. This is what I found... 63P-45300-15-8D
Click to expand...
I know it isn't the question you asked, but how badly bent is it? Is it worth trying to straighten in place? If it doesn't take a lot to straighten, I would rather take my chances in a straightened shaft than an aftermarket LU.
 
I'm beyond that now. Disassembly attempt destroys a big nut on the end of the lower unit. Now it's a project to get it back together.

Everyone is closed on the weekend. I'll make some calls Monday. I'm headed to Florida in 5 weeks. I should be able to find one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: family affair
I’m learning that repairing a lower unit isn’t always an option. Half the time you can’t get the bearing carrier out of the housing. This is my situation now. Then you have to procure the parts. Add in the labor for disassembly, inspection and reassembly. Cheaper to buy new.

The reseller of the used lower unit I found Had little information. Checked the oil-no water. 1,000 hours. Old water pump. $1,300 and 30 day warranty. Bunch of junk on eBay. Refurb almost cost of new.

At this point I’m looking at new OEM or equivalent.

I remember taking my 1999 Dodge Durango into dealer for a transmission problem. Probably a bad sensor. Dealer said that they don’t open transmissions other than to change filter. If something is wrong they change one part - the transmission!
 
You are now experiencing what I did before I bought new df200s. While my low hour f150s could have gone another thousand hours, I could have had issues on the next trip.
For people like me who have to justify $ spent, it only made sense to spend a bunch of money because I don't have to time or patience to deal with ruined trips or dicking around and hoping I could get questionable lower units rebuilt to last. That potential issue got punted to the next guy. AFAIK he's had no issues in 3 years. So far he has been the winner financially.
If I was in your shoes, I'd consider 2 options: SEI or OEM, if I couldn't find a good used one.
SEI if you won't be too inconvenienced if it doesn't hold up. I'd say you are 70% likely to be ok. OEM if you can't stand the thought of ruined plans or part of your season lost.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Sardinia306Canyon
I didn't realize how cheap the SEIs are. I'd be willing to take my chances at that price point for my needs.
 
It's complicated by being a counter-rotation lower unit. The last lower unit I melted down was filled with water and started making noises. I found a used one at my local Yamaha Dealer, someone who I knew well, small shop, always helpful guy. He had a customer bang up a skeg on a nearly new boat. Customer wanted a new lower unit and got his insurance to cover it. I'm not likely to get another one with a well know history.

My Dealer is looking for a new one now. I'll decide then.
 
no personal experience with SEI, but i have heard that a small percentage are junk off the bat, but most run for a long time.
 
Hookup1 said:
My mechanic found a bent shaft on my 2006 LF150TXR 64PX F-150. Unfortunately he can't get the shaft out with all the brute force he applied. I'm going to have to replace the 25" lower unit.

Does anyone have experience with SEI (Sterndrive Engineering, Inc.)? They are building new lower units (not refurbished).

Also trying to confirm a part number for a a left rotation 25" shaft. This is what I found... 63P-45300-15-8D
Click to expand...
This guy advertises on my local craigslist. His shop is just North of me.

https://sarasota.craigslist.org/bpd/d/sarasota-lower-units-outdrives/7894916544.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: family affair
You must log in or register to reply here.