Re: Mercruiser 165-Transom Plate/Bell Housing
Thinking about it, you don't have to disassemble the lower shift cable to pull it through the transom plate, it will slip right through, bad call on my part. (
The lower shift cable does need to be disassembled or cut to get it out of the gimble housing,,, but that's not a concern for just removing the transom assembly like you are asking about) The bell housing can be left attached to the gimble ring/gimble housing, you can pull it as a complete assembly.
But, it might be easier to remove the bell housing while it's one the boat, more leverage to pull it off and you won't be wrestling the whole transom assembly on the work bench. I assume you are going to replace the bellows and lower shift cable while everything is apart, right? Also, if you are going to replace the gimble bearing I'd pull it out while the transom assembly is still on the boat. I pulled the gimble bearing while the transom assembly was sitting on the work bench and it was MUCH easier when I did it on the boat.
I guess it all depends on how long the transom assembly is going to be off the boat. If it's just a few weeks I'd pull everything apart while on the boat. But if it's going to be off for a few months I'd pull it as a complete assembly and then tackle the it (bellows, gimble bearing, lower shift cable, etc) when you are going to put it back on. Things have a way of getting lost,,, got kids

(I do

)
Or should I say...
Things have a way of getting lost,,, got kids

(I do

)