guys-

I picked this motor up this weekend after being told it was a 13hp JB mud motor. Once I saw it in person, it wasn't in the condition it was described in. I was told it was like brand new! Sure, the motor looks new but the frame and cover had been butchered up... I bought it anyway.

In saying that, I would like your help in identifying the actual make of the frame/lower as well as general questions.

1) One of the pictures shows the lower shaft has some play in it, probably close to 1/8" forward and backward, is this an issue?
2) The shaft off the motor looks to have a bunch of washers used as spacers, it looks like it works but is it ideal?
3) When I put the lower back on, do I need to use some sort of sealant to keep water out of the chain housing? If so, what?

id take the washers and that centrifugal clutch off and just run a sprocket on the motor shaft. the clutch is nice when it works but they dont last long and slip all the time. the play in the bottom shaft is probably the set screw on the flange bearing is loose. or the bearing is out. i know this is not what you want to hear but id scrap everything but the motor and see if copperhead or dixie will sell you a frame. there is a whole bunch of wrong with what you have and you will spend more money fixing it than the initial cost of a new good frame. i really wouldn't trust what you have there out on the water.

Is that a homemade surface drive?

Looks kinda like JB photos that I've seen, the above responses are pretty good... I'd agree to dumb it down and go direct drive without the clutch, get the slop figured out, fresh coat of paint and run it... My best guess is the JB's just arent built well enough to handle the abuse (hence the all-thread welded to the handle to try and brace it up) Once everything is tight see how it runs on your rig, if it meets expectations keep it, if not sell it right away and chalk it up to experience. If I am told im gonna be lookin at a practically new unit and show up to a turd It'd be tough for me to buy it, honesty goes a long ways when making a deal in my book.

Sure looks homemade. I agree with Swamp shit ya own it now go try it out see what she'll do. Take 2 boats or stay close to the truck and beat the hell out of it.

Run it till it dies then chalk it up to a dumbass decision you made.... lol. . Kinda like those ragu commercials..... "what other bad decisions have I made?" Lol......it was probably one of the first he made with a new powerhead......

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Yea... not going to scrap it just yet. As mentioned, I'll run it for a while and see what it does. Now that you mention it, I remember seeing the set screw, I'll check it.

I've always wanted to build one of these out of 6063 T6 or 7075 T6, I guess now I have a starting point!