77 Merc 165 wont crank

[Doernuth]

I have a Sea Ray 260DA with twin 165 Mercs. The port engine runs great on earmufs in the driveway. The Starboard is the problem. The last time out the alternator belt broke and the engine died. Guages did not spike for temp on either engine. I limped in on the port engine and pulled the boat. Due to many factors the boat sat in the driveway for a year.

I got the belt replaced and the engine would not turn over. I replaced the slave solenoid, which was visibly broken and the starter engaged. The engine will not crank. Pulled the plugs, still no crank. put oil in the cylinders to free up last night. The oil does not appear to have water in it and is not milky. There was some condensation in the valve cover so the oil will be changed.

At this point I plan to do the following.

1. Lower drive all the way.
2. Try to crank again, if that fails then
3. Pull outdrive and see if it spins free and try engine again.

Am I missing anything? Is there anything else I can try? I am really trying not to pull the head off of the engine. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

Ayuh,.... You should have already done #1,...
I'd jump right to #3 myself....

 

[Doernuth]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

True, however the boat is at my friends and there wasn't space below to drop drive all the way. I have to move it. I lowered it as far as I could, but want to make sure it was low enough just in case.....

 

[Doernuth]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

So I pulled the drive:



And the &$%# engine



Still wont crank. Used a scope to see into the cylinders and it is corroded BAD. Engine builder looked at it and theorised that it had "hydroliced" and should just be replaced due to possible internal damage.

So, after I remove the alternator, powersteering pump and water pump. Remove and label all of the wiring and sensors is there anything special that I have to do to lift the engine out?

Also anyone know a good/cheap source for rebuilt engines?

 

[cr2k]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

Don't remove any of that stuff. Un hook the PS lines from the valve on the transom steering. un PLUG the wire harness and disconnect the ground wires form the back of the block usually on the bellhousing bolts. un hook water supply line,gas line, throttle and shift cables as needed, either pull the elbows or undo the coupler hoses from them, remove drive (if Merc put in forward gear), un screw the lag bolts from the stringers, unbolt the 2 motor mount bolts on the back at the transom and carefully pull the engine checking for any missed wires, or hoses. Much easier to pull as a package.

 

[Doernuth]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

Thanks for the input!! Take a look at the pic above it will provide some perspective, I am not sure I can get engine out without removing all the accsy's due to space constraints. I don't want to damage the other engine in the process either.

Damage to the hatch ring at the rear indicates that this engine has been pulled before, or at least the manifold has been removed and replaced.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

Damage to the hatch ring at the rear indicates that this engine has been pulled before, or at least the manifold has been removed and replaced.

Chances are after 33yrs, its been pulled several times!

 

[Doernuth]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

I wouldn't doubt it, but the engine numbers do match the title...

The manifolds are different on the two engines so something has been replaced at least.

Update: I stopped by this evening and filled the cylinders with ATF and put the plugs back in. I don't have time to get back to it till saturday so this will give it a couple days to soak. Figured WTH cant hurt and it just may work as others have indicated. I will let you know if I have any success....

 

[Bondo]

Re: 77 Merc 165 wont crank

Ayuh,... Looks like ya might have to pull the manifolds off, raise it abit,+ turn it nearly sideways to get it out...

I did a Slickcraft a couple weeks ago,...
Had ta lower the bare motor in, turn it sideways,+ push it forward to remount the Y-pipe,...
Then put the motor in place, 'n bolt on the manifolds...

You might find an old 250 Chevy in a boneyard out of a pickup that you could rebuild...
Just make sure it's got the Boss on the front of the block for the boat's motor mount...
It's an old motor, fading into history...