mercruiser I/O motor mount question

[jimmywayne]

Hi everyone Im restoring a 86 searay seville It has the 3.0 mercruiser alpha one outdrive. Im restoing the boat and im too the point of glassing in a new front mount. I failed to measure where the old holes were at when i tore the hull down for a rebuild. i got the transom done and the inner transom plate bolted on. Im gonna be ready to set the motor in. I realize alignment can be adjusted up and down but i dont see adjustment port and starboard. what my question is how do i find out where to drill the holes for the new mount Should i drill the holes with the engine in the boat and align it before i drill the new holes? or whats the best way to drill the holes in the correct spot in the motor mount. My idea was to run a string line in the center of the gimbal bearing and run it to the center of the bow of the boat and put the center of the front engine bracket (the bracket that adjusts up and down) on the string line. any ideas?? any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jimmy

 

[Bondo]

Re: mercruiser I/O motor mount question

Should i drill the holes with the engine in the boat and align it before i drill the new holes?

Ayuh,... That's what I do,... Hang the motor, align it with the bar, mark where the mount belongs...
Pull the motor, install the mount....
Rehang the motor, with the alignment bar, then drill the holes, bolt it in, then recheck the alignment...

 

[jimmywayne]

Re: mercruiser I/O motor mount question

hey bondo i appreciate the advice that sounds to be the best way. Thats what i will do.

 

[River's Revenge]

Re: mercruiser I/O motor mount question

Gentlemen,

I too have an issue that you may be able to help me with. The wood under the fiberglass is rotten. i dont want any movement from the front mounts but am at a crossroad. what's the best solution? I've thought about Heli coils but they are for metal not wood. Do I cut out this area and rebuild and fiberglass over it then do as Bondo states "Hang the motor and mark the holes" or is there an epoxy way of installing heli coil to accept a bolt not a lag screw.

I'm open to ideas before i jump in and do this job. 1978 CVX16ss 3.0 mercruiser MR1 outdrive

Thanks for any insight.