Using different crankcase halves

[bob-d]

Just picked up a 33 HP powerhead . In shipping  the front part of the crankcase got beat up. A few of the long electric starter studs broke, and the bosses got chewed up as well. Tried to drill out the broken existing studs to no avail.
Here is the question……I can pick up a used front portion pretty cheap, or would it be better to have the “mated” front portion welded, and tapped for studs, which probably would be double the amount of the used piece.
If that is the better way to go, can anyone recommend a welder who they have used.
Thanks,

Bob D

[frankr]

I would be really surprised if a front half from another motor would be a fit.  The cylinder and crankcase halves are bolted together, THEN machined for the bearings.  Chances are pretty slim that a different pair would be a match.

[billw]

It’s hard to tell from one picture; but if it were me, I would redouble my efforts to get the broken studs out and use that piece, as is. Even the lower boss appears to have enough meat left to be usable, without welding, and seems like a MUCH better option than using a different front half.

Long live American manufacturing!

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by billw.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by billw.

[labrador-guy]

bob-d, I tried to mix cases on a 5.5hp and they would not work.   I could not see why but every time I tightened the bolts the crank would not turn.  I bought a 1955 that had a ventilated crankcase, reed block side.  Had to find a different power head.

dale

“We made too many wrong mistakes.”  YB

[bob-d]

Well the verdict is in on this one. I’m not even going to try a different front case.
I really don’t want to try to remove the embedded studs and screw it up.
I’m going to send it out to a machine shop.
Thanks everyone for reinforcing what I suspected.

Bob D

[Author]

Posts