TOPIC: Bolt holes in bracket?

My 35 HP Golden Jubilee has no bolt holes for the transom. Is it OK to drill two through the bracket? If so where would you do it? Thank You in advance.

Is that motor bracket set up for the seperate thru bolt brackets that the motor then slides down into?

I don't know if I have a pix handy, be right back.......

EDIT:
Parts # 72 & 68 near the bottom right corner


After searching for that bracket ^^^ I don't think you're 1958-9 Golden Jubilee used them.... :0

Not sure why you want bolts, Big Twins have done fine without them for years. Also, the brackets are cast aluminum which could crack if you weaken them by drilling holes. Just make sure the clamp screws are tight and you should be fine.

I like the security. I run a lot of shallow water around here. I already a design of one in mind that will require no drilling and fit between the bracket arms.

Your original post mentioned drilling, hence my response. If you design a way to fasten the lower bracket without drilling it, post it as built, and on the boat. Many will take note, some may want you to build them one.

There is an accessory bracket available that bolts through the transom and the motor bracket drops into it and is secured. I will post a pic when I get home from work and I'm 90% sure I have an extra one kicking around the shop.
Al

Here's a pic of what I am talking about, it's the part on the left that attaches to the outside of the transom and holds the tabs on the motor bracket.

Hey, I have one of the inner transom brackets, but the boat didn't have the exterior piece.......

I'm on the look out for a transom bracket mine is destroyed

we have several omc motors from 1956-1964....what are you lookin for???

I was thinking of something similar.

Robert, you can always do what I've done in the past if security is an issue. Attach a chain one end to the motor and the other through the transom. If the motor should loosen up and fall off it will hang. At least you don't have to go fishing. I never had a problem with OMC coming off. Mercs are a different puppy, They will twist from torque. For what it's worth, the chain was more security while the boat was in a parking lot late at night at the local gin mill after a days fishing

I have drilled the bottom pads for 3/8" bolts before and ran without problems. Frankly, mounting a motor with no lower bolts is dangerous. The motor can easily "walk" off of the transom in rough water and fall overboard. More concerning is that if the lower unit strikes an under water obstruction, it can cause the engine to be pulled off of the transom and thrown forward into the boat. There is some old Mercury test footage of this exact thing happening, and the driver was almost cut in half by the propeller of the engine.