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Re: Wizard WF-4 super twin gaskets

Even 60 or 70 years on the numbers of Kiekhaefer made Early K Model outboards
mean replacement parts are not rare. It is mostly a matter of knowing
what you are looking for and who to ask.
Gear case was same design for a number of years for Kiekhaefer made outboard
motors whether prewar Sea King single or any Mercury thru KE3 or Wizard
thru WG4.

There are several on line parts recycling vendors
Sometimes a free ad on aomci site works
My preferred solution to a parts shortage is another ailing outboard to use
as a parts donor. The problem with that is the perfectly good left over
parts tend to accumulate and worse may lead to purchase of another not quite
right outboard to make use of inventory.

If a welder experienced in marine repair is near you they may be reasonable
enough to justify repair instead of replacement.
Louis

Re: Wizard WF-4 super twin gaskets

Well the second one you showed was a NOS part and they wanted $160 the eBay one was $50. Might try the eBay one. It would cost that much for a welder. Might need some bubblegum and apeice of cardboard haha. So possible stupid question... What's the importance of the "sceg"? Prop protection?

Re: Wizard WF-4 super twin gaskets

Louis,
were the lower units plain aluminum? My transom clamp says lynite on the side of the casting (which I have heard is diificult to weld). The leg and lower gear housing is not stamped and may be plain aluminum alloy.
I see the castings on eBay every once in a while for cheap, so I guess it may be worth waiting for a nice part tocome along

Re: Wizard WF-4 super twin gaskets

Stevens Welding on Griswold Street in Port Huron Michigan has repaired holes
in several leg castings. at least 3 skegs and several cavitation plates for me.
I have from time to time found parts motors for less. That said he does GREAT work and probably just covers his time,material and overhead. Port Huron has some industrial activity as well as a lot of recreational boating. I have seen tool and die work as well as aluminum or stainless marine parts when in his shop.
The repair of aluminum castings, forgings and die cast in various alloys by welding is an ART the mastering of which requires experience. Sometimes a repair
is the way to go and sometimes not. In the past I scrapped items that should have been set aside for possible future repair.
Speaking of parts I posted a lot of Early K Model stuff on aomci free ad site
to 1) clear some space 2) gage the market. I would be glad to hear from anyone
needing something I do not to move their project along.
Louis

Parts in a Bin project had a chunk of the skeg broken off the gear housing.
Repaired by welding in a new piece of metal. It required a bit
of filing to smooth weld and profile the new portion. As you can see from
pictures it worked out more than ok. Photo series is on header of this site.

Early K Model Kiekhaefers were composed of die cast and sand cast aluminum
as well as various steel items. As time went on some things changed.

In 1940-41 and postwar KD3-1 the single cylinders crankcases were die cast. Later versions were sand cast. Twin cylinder crankcases seem to be all sand
cast aluminum. Connecting rod, water pump housing, gear case, propeller, copilot clamp, lower crankcase cover,steering handle and water jackets all
seem to be die cast and many apparently made by alcoa. Legs all see to be
sand castings. Clamp assemblies switched from welded up steel stampings to
sand cast aluminum. It is worth noting that even if material remained same
changes evolved the parts...fastener lugs on prewar legs are thin where post
war leg is beefed up. I am working on several prewar and a post war single
at moment and the difference is apparent as is additional machining of those
areas.

Re: Wizard WF-4 super twin gaskets

Well I went to order the one from ebay and apparently that guy is on vacation and AI cant order it until tomorrow. Oh-well I guess i will wait