Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

[HappierWet]

I have the V6 150 with some motor problems. I have all the nuts loose and the electric disconnected. The lower unit is off. There is a LOT of corrosion where the threaded studs come through the aluminum casing.
I think that I can put a hoist on it to help lift, but what's the best way to rig a chain to balance this. I figure the head bolt or bolts on both heads, what about the front of the motor?
Also any thoughts about using a torch on the aluminum to help loosen it up?
It's been soaking in penetrating oil, but that stuff doesn't flow up hill.

Thanks in advance

 

[sschefer]

Re: Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

I have the V6 150 with some motor problems. I have all the nuts loose and the electric disconnected. The lower unit is off. There is a LOT of corrosion where the threaded studs come through the aluminum casing.
I think that I can put a hoist on it to help lift, but what's the best way to rig a chain to balance this. I figure the head bolt or bolts on both heads, what about the front of the motor?
Also any thoughts about using a torch on the aluminum to help loosen it up?
It's been soaking in penetrating oil, but that stuff doesn't flow up hill.

Thanks in advance

You need to lift it from the center of the engine with a lifting eye. Pretty cheap and I think you can get them here on iBoats or on EBay. Don't lift these motors from any of the bolts on the block these are cast aluminum blocks and you will damage them.

To get that Power Head off you gotta blast it with PB Blaster for about a week. Everytime you walk by it, give it a shot.

I use the lifting eye and a 5 ton hoist with the engine bolted on the boat or a stand. I bounce the stand or the boat and jerk it around pretty violently but if it won't budge then I resort to a handful of 1-1/2" putty knives with sharpened edges. I very carefully start them between the power head and exhaust plate.

Once I have the putty knives in, I start a door jamb wedge in on both sides then I flip another one over and start it under the first one. I do this in a couple of spots. Then I take a third wedge and drive it in between the two with a 3lb sledge (single jack).

I continue to add wedges as needed and sometimes I'll have 5 or 6 in there before it lets loose. It can be a long and frustrating process but if you keep your cool, you'll get it off without damaging the sealing surface.

There are probably 100 different methods, I think I've tried most of them but this method seems to work the best.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

The lifting eye sscheffer is referring to screws into the flywheel. Then you rig something on that, like an engine hoist to lift straight up.

Like he said, if you lift from any other point, you'll wreck something.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

The lifting eye sscheffer is referring to screws into the flywheel. Then you rig something on that, like an engine hoist to lift straight up.

Like he said, if you lift from any other point, you'll wreck something.

Thanks John, I've done it so many times I forget to tell people that.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

OK, Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Guess I'll be making a lifting eye today

 

[sschefer]

Re: Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

OK, Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
Guess I'll be making a lifting eye today

Before you go making one, go look at the ones you can buy. These screw into the flywheel at the center hub. I don't think you can make one cheaper unless you have the die for the threads or a lathe.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

Before you go making one, go look at the ones you can buy. These screw into the flywheel at the center hub. I don't think you can make one cheaper unless you have the die for the threads or a lathe.

Yeah, I work in a machine shop. Already have it roughed out. The only problem I'm having is a way to check the 1 and 1/2 X 16 threads before I take it out of the lathe.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: Lifting a mid 80's 150 powerhead

Cool, The powerhead is off. Lot of sweat. Thanks for the heads up about the lifting eye.