Bent P Bracket

[geoffwchew]

The P bracket on my SO362 sailboat is slightly bent causing shaft misalignment and rapid wear on the cutlass bearing. It is a bronze casting. Can I straighten it by applying heat (how much?) and bending back to shape, or will it fracture? In other words is it malleable or brittle?

[Laidback]

VERY VERY difficult to ascertain if that specific " P " is malleable or brittle - the odds are because it was cast as opposed to machined or forged it will not take kindly to being straightened. Also it depends where the 'bend' is situated ? Got a picture ?
One option : if the part through which the shaft passes has enough meat, is to drill this out and introduce a bush that relines the bracket with the shaft.

[James S]

Second option may be to reinstall it to the hull modifying its "bedding" so that its aliened properly?