Engine Removal

[fred_farple]

I have a Wellcraft Coastal 230 with a bad transom. I've concluded that I am going to try the Seacast product to shore things up back there, have done my measuring and research on the product itself, but am uncertain as to the best method to remove the Suzuki 225 off the rear. It weighs in at 490 pounds. Any suggestions? THANKS

 

[flashback]

Re: Engine Removal

HI Fred, There are several ways to lift that engine, I guess I need to know what you have at your disposal. you could use the winch on your trailer if you have a over head beam or tree limb.I guess a good chain hoist and an A-frame would be the best. also you can rent Hi-lift engine hoists (called cherry picker to some), from a tool rental place, It is mostly used to get engines out of trucks and such, but it will work on a boat also....good luck.......

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Engine Removal

A good engine hoist that has an adjustable reach is the best bet. If you could whip up a stout outboard stand that would be ideal, otherwise you can lay it on a pallet covered with a blanket or something like that so you don't scratch it. It won't hurt it to lay on its side, just make sure there isn't any pressure points on important things like the cowl and such. A come-along from a strong overhead beam does the trick as well. You will also want to get a lifting eye designed for that outboard if it doesn't have any lift eyes on it under the cowl. Lastly, you want to be very safe and careful, thats a whole bunch of topheavy unbalanced weight. Good luck.

 

[Hooty]

Re: Engine Removal

You can buy a good engine hoist from Northern Tool for under $200. <br /><br />c/6<br />Hooty

 

[BillP]

Re: Engine Removal

Or a fork lift.

 

[greatdayne51]

Re: Engine Removal

Another way is to have someone with a Backhoe lift it for you. It's usually faster and cheaper to use a Hoe.

 

[hocus de la pocus]

Re: Engine Removal

As a firm believer of the "RED-GREEN" approach to boating and boat repair I like the backhoe idea the best. If you do not have a buddy with one don't be afraid to go to the nearest farmer (with a tractor) and axe his advice, he may have a "hay fork", or "front loader" bucket to use. <br /><br />If you're going to do the tree limb be VERY careful about the limb cracking. DO NOT winch on a pine or softwood tree, they can't hold it. Go for your hardwood. Also consider using TWO winches, one to lift the motor, and one to brace the limb to the main trunk of the tree-<br />I see using a tree limb that is no less than 5 inches thick at the lift point. <br /><br />Like the other poster wrote: drop your engine down an a pallet with some old blankets on it. <br /><br />Good luck,

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Engine Removal

At work, we actually welded up a huge hoist that affixes to the forklift attachment that goes on the Bobcat. We used that to remove and install the dual Mopar 360 V8s in that wretched 40+ foot houseboat we have been working on for the last three years. That thing will never get finished it seems.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Engine Removal

I use an old used lifter for disabled persons, that I got for free at a residential home. It is labelled to lift limited to 300 lbs, but it doesnt know .

 

[Bondo]

Re: Engine Removal

Bracing the Rafters in the Garage Works......<br />Door Frames/Casings are Usually Pretty Stout....<br /><br />Just make Sure you're attaching to the motor at the TOP.....<br />There's Never anywhere to hook a chain to outboards... Most need a lifting ring.... <br />They Don't really Balance Where you'd think they would....

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Engine Removal

The Suzuki engines already have lifting rings. Just lift the top off and one will be aft of the oil tank and the other will be up near the starter motor. You just connect a short length of chain between them and loop it up. Put your chainhoist or come along on it.<br /><br />I just pulled a DT-200 off of my 23' walk around. I borrowed a neighbors back hoe and used its bucket. I hung my come along from the bucket and the other end's hook on the chain looped around the lifting hooks I mentioned. Take the weight of the engine up with the come along. Have all 4 bolts loose first, don't remove any until you have the weight supported with you hoist. After that its childs play.<br /><br />By the way, those engines weight 469 pounds dry. I hit it lucky and the shipping weight on my new 225 EFI was listed as only 450 pounds for its trip from the dealer in Florida to up here in West Virginia.<br /><br />Anyway the standard Suzuki packing crate will show you how one of them can be held safely. This one is standing up but in shipment it would be laying down so the back part would be down. What that means is that the engine is, to a large part, supported by those styrefoam (sp?) blocks behind the engine. The engine is also bolted to the cage/crate through its steering tube and there is a small metal band down around the gearcase. Here's a picture of it in its crate:<br /><br />

<br /><br />Thom

 

[kdmiller8251]

Re: Engine Removal

You could also call a tow truck, they can lift it out as well..<br /><br />Tallman