Cannot remove powerhead

[paw2000]

Hi, I did some searching and couldn't find my situation. I have an 85 140 looper that I need to replace the lower mount. I have to get access to the steering nut so I need to remove the powerhead to remove the mid section. I was able to remove all the long bolts and the nuts on the front and the 3 bolts on the rear. I have the powerhead lifted with engine hoist and tried separating the power head from the mid section, no go. I have the lower unit off already, and tried hitting with a dead blow hammer (used wood).

Is there a way to break the bond of the gasket holding everything together? I tried soaking the seam with wd40, applied some heat. Am I missing something basic? There seems to be no pry points, I left the motor suspended over night to see if it begins to loosen. I don't want to break anything by hammering away or chipping something from prying.

Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Cannot remove powerhead

I'm not familliar with the looper but I bet you are missing a nut or bolt somewhere. I know with the crossflows I have done there are 3 long bolts each side, a nut and a bolt up front each side and a nut each side at the rear, then the 4 screws to the lower cowling.

The only reason I say this is I have never had to use a hoist, just when I had the powerhead loose I would rock it back and forth then lift it off. I would think if you are lifting with a hoist and it isn't even showing signs of separating there is still a bolt holding somewhere.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Cannot remove powerhead

The parts explosion shows two studs that are mounted in the bottom of the front half of the powerhead casing. They go down into the exhaust housing adapter and should have nuts on the ends. You may have to feel around the bottom of the front of the powerhead, from inside of the lower cowl, to find them.

One thing that puzzled me about the diagram, is that I believe most of the V-4 engine have a pair of these studs in the rear powerhead half too. If you find the front studs and get the nuts off, but the powerhead still won't lift off, I would go looking for the other two.

BTW, the three cylinder motors have these too, but there is only one and it is located under the bottom cylinder.



???

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Cannot remove powerhead

Yes as jay said, check again for the two studs on the front of the powerhead and remove the nuts.

When you are sure you have everything off then take the pressure off the hoist and try to rock the powerhead back and forth with your hands. You need to break the connection before lifting with the hoist.

I think I tried a short piece of 2x4 and a hammer to knock it loose first.

 

[paw2000]

Re: Cannot remove powerhead

I had removed 2 nuts from studs on each side of the steering arm, there is a rear center stud and 2 small bolts a the rear corners I also removed. That and the 3 long bolts per side, I dont see any others. The parts diagram shows others, but I think they are for the exhaust housing.

A former outboard mechanic I spoke to today said take a thin strong putty knife and tap it between the unit, not to pry but to wedge it. I'll try that next, is there a particular spot that is stronger? I guess 25yrs has bonded together pretty tight.

 

[daselbee]

Re: Cannot remove powerhead

I think you missed two bolts next to the two studs with nuts up front.
My engine has four fasteners up front. Three in the back as you stated.

Go to shop.evinrude.com, drill down to your engine, select "midsection", look at numbers 94 and 51.

 

[nymack66]

Re: Cannot remove powerhead

13 is the number on a 87 Looper as shown ..