help removing outdrive special tools needed?

jfrey8899

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 25, 2010
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39
I have a 1972. Sea swirl with a mercruiser 140 sterndrive. I am trying to remove the out drive to find where some water is leaking into boat when motor is up. I tried to loosen the six big bolts that looked like it held it on but when loosened nothing budges at all. thought it would just slide off like a driveline. Guess not. Does anyone know if I am on the right track.
 

Alpheus

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Aug 3, 2009
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Re: help removing outdrive special tools needed?

Did you put the remove the trim cylinders and put shifter in forward gear?
 

jfrey8899

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Sep 25, 2010
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Re: help removing outdrive special tools needed?

Did not put it in drive.
 

jfrey8899

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Re: help removing outdrive special tools needed?

So that's it. After those six bolts and shifter put in forward it should just slide off?
 

Fishermark

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Oct 19, 2003
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5,617
Re: help removing outdrive special tools needed?

It may well be stuck, but yes, that's the concept.
 

jfrey8899

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Sep 25, 2010
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Re: help removing outdrive special tools needed?

Oh yeah. Trim cylinders disconnected and wood under fin. Thanks for your help. One more question. My trim gauge in boat says power tilt and trim. I know tilt is obviously for motor up and down but don't know how to use or even operate a trim switch. if its there. The buttons for raising motor are in a three button configuration and you have to hold the middle button and top to raise but only bottom button to lower? Got me scratchin my head a little.
 

Don S

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Re: help removing outdrive special tools needed?

If you forget to put it in forward, you will notice a slight resisntance while you bend things, but the drive will come off.......... Trust me.
IF it doesn't move at all, you have problems with rust and/or corrosion.
Shaft rusted into gimbal bearing, or coupler, corrosion around the bolt holes on the 6 studs etc.
Keep the trim cylinders hooked up and put a piece of 2X4 between the top cap of the drive and the gimbal ring and raise the drive slowly. Should pop the drive loose if stuck in the gimbal bearing,
 

Bifflefan

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May 27, 2009
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Re: help removing outdrive special tools needed?

The buttons for raising motor are in a three button configuration and you have to hold the middle button and top to raise but only bottom button to lower? Got me scratchin my head a little.

The lower button is just lower it from any position, correct.
The top button is "trim", you use this while in the water and running the boat. Lower the drive all the way and then start the engine. Use only the top button when in the water to adjust the trim.
The middle and top button is "tilt", with the engine "OFF" use both buttons to raise the leg for trailering and such.
Never run the engine with the leg tilted up higher than the trim limit.

I believe a good manual would help you a lot.
 
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