Ya get what you pay for 4k brand new welded together motor... Junk. Keep the motor find a gtr frame. Scrap the Dixie frame to help pay for the gtr

My motor came originally with 'h' pitch belts, I later converted it to '8mm' pitch pulleys and belts like i have on my copperhead, that's when I started snapping driveshafts instead of breaking belts. The crap shaft housing was drooping a few degrees and those sealed cheap Dixie bearings detonate very quick . Everything was slightly off in the bottom end, never had a chance.

I did learn how to build a light weight surface drive from scratch thanks to Dixie, learned a lot(must be positive)

I'm just saying that when welding aluminum, rarely is the WELD going to be the strongest point along with the heat effected zone. That said the amount of stress put on a welded frame by a 35hp vanguard engine is going to beat the hell out of those welds. It's going to twist and stress and split them doesn't matter how good of a welder you are. As long as main stress points are welded together they'll continue to break. Along with what ender pointed out machining should be done after welds are completed. But you can't analyze somthing like this. It's not worth the time nor energy so I quit.

The good thing is that in most cases they break down in time to avoid weld failure!

I think most of the problem is most folks want to blame some thing else instead of themselves. You treat your engine like shit your gonna have shit I don't care who builds it. I see problems with every unit out there. These motors get abused that's not changing but if you take care of them wash them down ( salt water guys ) keep em greased and quit trying to be evil kenevil or how ever that's spelled you'll be running tomorrow. Common sense will get you alot further than getting on the Internet and being a cry baby. Now start blaming I know your way smarter than me I can live with that.

Then you know I answer my phone and I don't know what your talking about. I also don't know winn10. I have had clients for whatever reason that you just can't make happy. It goes with the territory everybody gets em. We do the best we can and sometimes it's never enough.

hence:

No issues but a BELT. Ill keep everyone updated on the motor as I put hours on it.

I have been waiting for a handle and belt housing cover from Dixie for probably 6 weeks. They answer the phone when I have called but have not received the handle or cover. Nice guys though.

So is that or is that not your junk in those photos? Thats junk either way n cant believe people would buy that crap whether its cheap or not..

Based upon this thread (and, several others) seems like a good plan is to buy two (2) MM's and have one stashed in the boat for backup.

my dixie broke within the first month and running openwater.

It wasnt about abuse, wasnt about neglect, or not about not washing it. It was just poor design, cheap material, shoddy assembly, no QC before shipping, and a company that had an excuse for everything.

I have replaced it with a copperhead, its like night and day difference. I have had the pleasure of really beating the sh** out of it and its a tank.

Its like any new hobby, hunting, archery, fishing...you buy the garbage entry level products when you first start out to save cash and feel it out. over time you invest more in quality products that are more specific and tested.

I dont think any prodrive owners ponder '...maybe next i'll get a dixie', if you own a dixie its probably your first mud motor or first surface drive. If your dixie is still working and you really use it...awsome. Just dont try and convince people that its in the same class as like copperhead, and comparing to PD or GT is really rediculous

If you enjoy not knowing if you can get home, if you love chasing people on the phone or getting to know companies very personally for getting parts, and if you love DIY on a new product out of the box..go for it

Well...I bought a Copperhead...and, got bit.