'94 OMC 3.0 Upper Removal

ptrau

Cadet
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
Messages
17
I made a rookie mistake and bought a boat with an engine/outdrive that is no longer made.Outdrive was run without fluid and fried the upper unit. Enough metal filings in the gearcase to melt down for a new car. <br /><br />Local marina quoted $3300 for a new one plus labor. I found a reman on the net for $1295 plus core or $800 to rebuild mine. The problem is I can't get the upper off. The lower came off like a charm. The upper only has 6 bolts and they came off easily too. However, the upper is stuck like nothing I have ever seen before.<br /><br />I tried every pentrating oil and lube on the market. I have tapped, banged and then hammered trying to break these two apart. I had a mobile marine repair guy come out and he can't get it off either. He said I should get a torch and try and heat the upper to get it to break loose. He said the boat was in saltwater at one time and this is a result. The anode on this boat is in bad shape. Could these two pieces be hopelessly "welded" together?<br /><br />I called the guy with the reman unit and he said NOT to heat it (sterndrive.info). He said to get a chisel and a couple of screwdrivers and go to work on it....didn't work. I have been working on cars and motors for over 30 years and have never seen anything like this.<br /><br />Has anyone else has this problem? How did you handle it? Any/all help will be greatly appreciated.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,346
Re: '94 OMC 3.0 Upper Removal

cobra drive? similar to M/C . remove 6 nuts and pull. Unless there was water in the boot and the shaft is frozen to the gimbal bearing.if so, try to use hardwood wedges to get it abart .not chisels.temporarily reinstall the lower ,use a block of wood between the drive and transom using it to pry it back to get the wedges in.
 

ptrau

Cadet
Joined
Jun 1, 2005
Messages
17
Re: '94 OMC 3.0 Upper Removal

Thanks for the tip....I tried that too. Still no luck. It's the darndest thing I have ever seen. What should have taken an hour, at most, has turned into 2 weekends of frustration.<br /><br />Does anyone know if saltwater can "fuse" two pieces of metal together to the point where they are essentially "welded" together. I think that the 6 studs may be locked to the upper as well keeping it from coming loose. I am now considering a grinder with a cutting wheel to cut the upper away from the mount. I can always redrill and retap for new studs if I need too.<br /><br />I am also going to try heating the unit with a torch. I have nothing to lose at this point, because all I have now is a 19' paperweight on wheels. I gave up golf because it was too frustrating...I am thinking about new clubs right about now.
 
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