Lower gearcase....

[jamesan]

Possibly I made a mistake. I do not have much experience with boats, but I do have a lot of mechanical experience.
I gave someone $100.00 to hold a boat I intend to purchase. The gentleman who owned the boat deceased and after about 5 years the widow is now selling it. Someone had it running with muffs about 2-3 years ago. She said everything always worked great.
Looked it the b*** boat at dusk with a flashlight as aid. It has a '78 or '79 55hp Evinrude. the flywheel rotates, and the prop spins freely. I did not have anything in gear when I rotated either one. I pulled the lower drain plug and got about a tablespoon of oil and water. I could not find any cracks anywhere. I do know what water does to bearings and such, but since the prop spun so freely, and the prop is the lowest part, I figured it was probably ok.
Does this sound like I just need to replace some seals and such, or should I just say goodbye to the $100.00 and walk away.It is a 1978 fisher marine flat bottom b*** boat with a troller and a depth finder. Selling price is $1100.00

Thanks

[boats.net]

The lower unit seals are most likely need replace. The amount of damage to the interior gears depends on the length of time the water has been sitting in there.