Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

[big zeke]

So last fall I had a fella pull the engine and leg on my boat (1991 21' Campion Fishing Machine). I'm now ready to reinstall it and I cannot get in contact with this guy. Most other shops won't touch this job so I think I might take a stab at it myself.

The research I've done makes it seem fairly easy, drop the block onto the mounts and gimble housing, bolt up, connect shift, throttle and fuel lines, plug in the engine connector (guessing I probably want some dielectric grease on this ), wire to the batteries, hookup cooling water and exhaust system, install antifreeze overflow (closed loop cooling) and leg oil reservoir, lube gimble bearings and splined shaft, install leg on rams, fire up and check timing and idle then go fishing. Is there a lot more to it than that? I'm guessing a 3-4 hr job in my garage depending on how hard it is to get the block in by myself.

Am I missing anything? Is there any tips or guidance on making the install easier or safer. I have lots of time to get this done.

BTW, with the block out I am changing the bilge pumps, I'm going with 1 auto at 750 gph and a manual at 500 on seperate discharge lines...does this sound like enough?

Thx in advance for any input
Zeke

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

Have no clue what your experience is, but I think the fact that you asked the question to begin with, and you had someone else pull it out, means you are probably way under estimating how long it's going to take to do the job PROPERLY. No mention of doing the alignment, and that's a must.
It also bothers me when someone says "after my research" ............... Research doesn't mean much if what you found is wrong.
Have you looked at a manual? Try #7 for the engine, 14 for the drive. Boatinfo - The library, containing manuals, brochures and other technical documents from the last hundred years!

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

Most other shops won't touch this job so......

In addition to all that Don listed, WHY won't most of these shops touch the job? What are they telling you that makes them not want to earn money that might be a warning sign to you?

Obviously this is your first time and I'm guessing you've never WATCHED someone do it either to learn from them?

Mark

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

It took me about 3-4 hours to pull my engine (Mercruiser 7.4 with Bravo 1) and about 10 hours to put it back in and connect everything up, align the engine, install the outdrive, etc. etc.

They seem to come out quicker than they go back in . . .

Engine

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

Here is the outdrive going in

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

So last fall I had a fella pull the engine and leg on my boat (1991 21' Campion Fishing Machine). I'm now ready to reinstall it and I cannot get in contact with this guy. Most other shops won't touch this job so I think I might take a stab at it myself.

The research I've done makes it seem fairly easy, drop the block onto the mounts and gimble housing, bolt up, connect shift, throttle and fuel lines, plug in the engine connector (guessing I probably want some dielectric grease on this ), wire to the batteries, hookup cooling water and exhaust system, install antifreeze overflow (closed loop cooling) and leg oil reservoir, lube gimble bearings and splined shaft, install leg on rams, fire up and check timing and idle then go fishing. Is there a lot more to it than that? I'm guessing a 3-4 hr job in my garage depending on how hard it is to get the block in by myself.

Am I missing anything? Is there any tips or guidance on making the install easier or safer. I have lots of time to get this done.

BTW, with the block out I am changing the bilge pumps, I'm going with 1 auto at 750 gph and a manual at 500 on seperate discharge lines...does this sound like enough?

Thx in advance for any input
Zeke

Ayuh,... The Motor has to be aligned with the gimbel, with an Alignment Bar, before the drive goes back on....

 

[big zeke]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

Ayuh,... The Motor has to be aligned with the gimbel, with an Alignment Bar, before the drive goes back on....

I guess I should have added more details. I've done several auto R&Rs of conventional V6 & V8, I'm a mechanical engineer and I have done a lot of work on this boat including pulling the leg twice. The engine was pulled by someone else as I had no time due to work and had to hit an open slot in by fiberglass guys shop (warranty repair on a transom job from 2 years ago). Of the 2 shops in the area that are willing to work on boats older than 10 yrs (yes, there are only 2), neither one would warranty an install if they didn't pull the engine (just their policy, no further explanation offered), they didn't say NO they just said no warranty.

I guess one point I missed was the alignment but since the engine will be going back onto the mounts in the exact same location they were (the adjusting nuts on the mounts have not been touched), the engine should drop back exactly as it came out (let me know if this assumption is incorrect, and why pls). The rest of the stuff in that Boatinfo guide is prety much what I was expecting...this thing is really good BTW.

I understand you don't know me, perhaps I misinterpreted the tone of some of the replies...seemed a bit judgemental and not as helping as I had expected. I promise I won't judge you on the same terms.

Thx for the input so far.
Zeke

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

As far as the alignment goes . . . at a minimum, you need to check to see that everything went back the way it came in. Typically, the engine mount adjustment (nut) gets turned or comes loose, etc., but even if they did not, you still want to check.

If the alignment is not quite right, then you may wear out the coupler prematurely. Then the engine has to come out again . . . .

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

Before you start the install block the engine on the floor and test run it.

 

[achris]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

1. fit new rear mount nuts into inner transom plate slots (I always use new nuts, as they are aluminium and strip out very easily). Lower engine into engine bay and align rear mounts (Front of engine slightly up), ensure correct mounting hardware on the rear mounts as per service manual. Section on Installation. Grease the rear mount screws thoroughly (you'll be glad you did in 5 years time when you come to remove them).
2. lower engine onto side mounts. Tighten rear mount screws to about 35ft lb (check the book for the correct torque).
3. remove lifting hardware and secure chain block to front lifting eye (on thermostat housing). Lift engine VERY slightly. Ensure both side mount lower nuts are just touching the engine mount. (This ensures both mounts are bearing the same load)
4. using an alignment tool, check, and adjust if necessary, the side mount lower nuts (move each nut the same amount). When the alignment is correct, fit and tighten side mount top nuts. Re-check alignment.(Again, lots of grease on those side mount threads and nuts).
5. tighten/connect/secure exhaust tubes, water pick up hose, power steering hoses, drive oil monitor hose, speedo pickup tube, battery leads to engine block and starter motor, 10 pin engine harness, fuel line, ground continuity wire (rear of engine to inner transom plate).
6. mount lower shift cable and remote shift cable to shift plate. Connect throttle cable to carb.
7. fit drive....

Takes me about 1.75 hours....

Good luck.

Chris........

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

Takes me about 1.75 hours....

Good luck.

Chris........

How long did it take you the first time you installed one that someone else took out, without any previous marine engine experience?

 

[achris]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

How long did it take you the first time you installed one that someone else took out, without any previous marine engine experience?

Errr, yeah, a little longer.... :faint2:

But you get my point... It's not a difficult job, just do one thing at a time....

 

[MWG2600]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

Took me at least a few days my first time, then another week to get the "rest" fixed. Going from auto mechanic to boat is harder than you think, its just a diffrent ball game.

 

[weekender1]

Re: Engine reinstall - 4.3 with Alpha 1 Gen2...any tips or giudance

achris i wish some one would have told me this way before i droped my ingine in since the upper and lower marks are even with the allinment tool but not from side to side have more marks on 1 side than the other. now i have to lift the motor and some how plug the mount holes and redo them..