Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

[Hogger]

I need to replace the ring gear on the flywheel of my Mercruiser 4.3LX.
I got a Seloc manual, and it says step one is to remove the stern drive unit.
Do I really need to do that to pull the engine?
When I talk to people, and read on here about it, they make it sound like it's a pretty quick process. I even have a mechanic that says he can do it in about 4 - 6 hours.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

drive must come off first, unbolt and lift engine, remove rear housing, R/R ring gear

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

if it has been taken care of you can have the drive off in ten minutes, should br done every year or two at the most. leave the engine harness on and it is not that bad.

 

[Hogger]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

Just pulled the stern drive unit, BUT. I forgot to it in forward gear.
Should I not worry about it, or carefully replace the unit, put it in forward, then pull it back off.

 

[mikeneal]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

When you put it in forward it aligns the "shoe" of the linkage to allow the drive to slide off. No point in reinstalling it if the drive is off. Not sure how you were able to remove it though.

 

[Adirondack]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

Just pulled the stern drive unit, BUT. I forgot to it in forward gear.
Should I not worry about it, or carefully replace the unit, put it in forward, then pull it back off.

Just make sure your throttle is in forward gear when you go to put it back on, and be sure and place the drive in forward gear by turning the shaft.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

As I always say, removing the outdrive will be the EASIEST part of the engine removal process. Don't fight it, it needs to come off.

 

[Hogger]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

Just make sure your throttle is in forward gear when you go to put it back on, and be sure and place the drive in forward gear by turning the shaft.

Could you elaborate on what shaft to turn. Do I just turn the prop? Sorry I don't quite understand.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

this is a pic of the shift shaft coupler between the upper and the bell housing.

this is a mc-1 drive and is in neutral. if it were in fwd. the coupler would be facing straight fwd. if it were in rev. it would be turned further to port than it is.

you can see the coupler while it's mounted to the boat by laying on your back on the ground and look up in ft. of the drive. which is where i was when taking the pic..

edit. when the drive is off. you can turn the male part of the coupler while rotating the prop ccw. this will bring the coupler straight fwd and the drive will be in fwd with the prop locked ccw.
put a bungee on the prop to load the prop ccw to keep it in fwd.

edit2. to make ya feel better. it took me a day to pull the engine out of my boat to R&R a oil pan. i'm real back yard. and it takes time to get everything prepped to do the deed.

there is much prep when your a back yard mech to get it to the point in the pic.

 

[Hogger]

Re: Is pulling the engine really that difficult?

Awesome thanks for the pics, that really helps.
Hope to be pulling the engine tomorrow. Fingers crossed.