beginner outdrive removal

[gustaria]

First year working on my boat. Have general mechanical knowledge at age 51.
drive is: Drive serial number 0W581501 Model number 5121200TS MERCRUISER ALPHA 1.47:1.
I have read the manual and thiking about checking the impeller and general check and oil/lube change. Is this very difficult, is there any reason I should not do it. Everything seems to be OK as far as I know, but I have run the engine for up to 30 seconds with no water a couple of times over the last two years.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

Theres every reason why you should do it! NEVER run a boat without H2O!

 

[badkins50]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

I agree with ENSIGN. Better safe than sorry. I though I read somewhere in a Mercruiser manual that all it takes is 10 to 15 seconds of running dry to damage that impeller. It's not a hard job at all. gitter done.

 

[Bondo]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

Is this very difficult,

Ayuh,... On a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being Easiest,... It's about a 3 or maybe a 5....

 

[gustaria]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

OK thankyou. Im a gonna do it.

 

[Lou C]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

well from one over 50 guy to another...build yourself a drive stand first...you see taking it OFF is the easy part...but getting it back ON can be a pain...and that pain...will be in your lower back if you are trying to lift that drive (about 85 lbs) and keep the ujoints lined up and also not knocking the gimble bearing out of alignment while trying to slide the whole works in...I built a stand a few years back and that's the way to go...a Merc Alpha has to be in foward to remove...and the impeller is a little involved but get a good manual and follow the steps...the one on my Cobra is a 15 min job...can be done with the drive on the boat...

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

watch the tightening of bolts they are in inch/lbs not ft/lbs
and he is right on stand makes it so easy with stand adjst trailer up and donwn and slide on.

Also get a alignment bar as you should check before sliding on. As for water pump replace whole pump from here at iboats. Pay attention to gasket and plate order and keep drive in forward and try to keep it there, do it on a bench
will be easier that way.

 

[gustaria]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

now you got my ears popping up. I know this sounds stupid, but; I guess there is a water pump that sucks the water in right there at the foot and then sends it to the engine area where the main motor water pump circulates it (I know about those). I ran the engine and opened one pet **** at a time and it was shooting out very strong. Can I leave the whole thing alone??

 

[gustaria]

Re: beginner outdrive removal

good manual. I dont know what that means. I bought the I boat manual, I down loaded the ones on the sticky, and I still dont know how to order a power steering hose, but I think I can go to an auto parts store and get a high pressure hose that will work. Both ends look like a 5/8 thread. I really, really appreciate the support.