Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

[chris0061]

Is there any logical reason why a transom shield and gimbal ring and bell housing off a 1984 mercruiser 260 wouldn't fit on a 1981 260 besides the direction of the water tube and the steering arm? I took all kinds of measurments and everything measured good. and the other difference is the water outlet. the 84 has egg shaped and the 81 is round.

 

[Don S]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

The cutout in the transom is the same, but when you try to mix parts, things will change. Trust me just because you have an 81 boat doesn't mean the engine and drive are. That is what gets people into trouble.
It usually looks good to start with, but always some little thing that just makes the changeovers a pain.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

I see. That must be why my mechanic wants me to weld the chip out of the gimbal bearing housing the drive shaft bellows connects to on the transom shield instead of switching everything around.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

I dont believe any inlet tubes came egg-shaped. Besides if thats all thats different, just change out the water tube.After you remove the hose outside, it`s 2 bolts and a rubber grommet holding in place.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

The water outlet. were it comes out both sides of the shield

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

inlet tube(plastic or copper) =water in from the outdrive pump
outlet tube= exaust risers or thru-hull exaust

 

[Don S]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

The water outlet. were it comes out both sides of the shield

We need pictures, I still have no clue what you are referring to.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

Ayuh,..

And somewhere along those years the Inner transom plate Changed...
The Rear Motor Mount spacing went from 15" to 9"....

 

[chris0061]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

I was talking about were the water comes out of your outer transom shield from the exhaust. Anyway. I welded the gimbal bearing housing so My drive shaft bellows would stay on. They started to put the engine in today and when they put the transom assembly on and the engine in they didn't line up. Then engine sits about 3/8" lower than the transom assembly. If the splines were higher then you could adjust it with the front motor mounts. The Mechanic said that the inner bell-housing was from a Mr and I have a M stern-drive so it throwing it off. We talked about it and decided to shim the rear mounts a half inch then if it was to height we could adjust with the front mounts. Any one ever run across this?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

We talked about it and decided to shim the rear mounts a half inch then if it was to height we could adjust with the front mounts. Any one ever run across this?

Ayuh,.... I would sooner think the rubber mounts in 1 or both pieces are Shot....
If the Ears,aka. the Bolt Holes line up,... Something else is Wrong....
I don't buy the "R" Vs. "MR" thing....

 

[chris0061]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

I'll have to look into that when I get it back. That would make more sense to me. Who ever had the boat before took the lower nuts off the front motor mounts to get the front lowered enough to cram the drive shaft in. We are using washers to bring the back up 1/2 inch then put nuts back on under the front motor mount on engine to stringer. Then we can hopefully have our adjust-ability back.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

TO ALL WHO COME HERE SEEKING ADVICE FROM THE MECHANICAL WIZARDS
I HAVE A SAYING FOR YOU:
"YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN`T MAKE HIM DRINK"
We OFFER sound advice and sound answers concerning YOUR problem with boats.We use our knowledge to helpYOU solve the issues.It`s up to YOU to make use of that information.The old "I can make it fit" dosen`t apply in the marine world,carpentry maybe.We may not be 100% correct all the time because we`re not there to see exactly what is wrong, but we come darn close with the information you do supply.

Please Excause My Venting

 

[Bondo]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

We are using washers to bring the back up 1/2 inch then put nuts back on under the front motor mount on engine to stringer.

Ayuh,.... And Why not just Fix it Right,..??

 

[chris0061]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

OK so to fix it right would be to get the rubber mounts for the back of the engine?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

If improperly repaired it could cause the coupler to wear prematurely
and you`ll end up pulling the motor again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

Have you checked the condition of the transom itself? If it's all dry rotted, and the inner transom plate has been squeezed down and out of parallell with the gimbal housing, there is NOTHING, going to work till you get the transom fixed. NOTHING.

OK so to fix it right would be to get the rubber mounts for the back of the engine?

If, the transom is ok, you not only need the new rubber mounts, but all the proper hardware that goes with it.

 

[chris0061]

Re: Will 84 mercruiser 260 transom shield fit on 81?

transom is good. I got the new motor mounts this morning and we put them in and everything is ok. Thanks guys