Mercury Outboard Removal

[Twitches]

I have a 50ELPTO 50 HP Mercury outboard ready to move from the transom to a rack. I have a 440 pound overhead winch in my garage. Can I use the three threaded openings in the top of the flywheel to fabricate a lifting eye? I did see the lifting ring tool at https://www.amazon.com/Mercury-Mariner-Outboard-Motor-91-90455-1/dp/B01HFCWK0I.

Do I have to remove the flywheel in order to use the lifting ring?

Has anyone had success fabricating some type of strap system?

I am sure my brother and I could lift it off but I would like it to be suspended while I bolt it to the rack.

Trying to avoid over-complicating and sinking money into specialty tools, it only weighs 300lbs.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[racerone]

If a 2 stroke then that motor does not weigh 300 lbs.----2 able bodied men can lift it with ease.

 

[ThomW]

I agree with Racerone. A Merc 50 2 stroke would weigh about 200 lbs. Even the new 50 4-strokes weigh in at like 264.

You can get the lifting rings pretty cheap on ebay, and no, you do not need to pull the flywheel. It screws right in on the top of the flywheel. I got one for my 200 hp Merc on ebay for $22 including shipping. Worked great! Worth it if you might ever wanna lift the motor off again. Just my 2 cents though.

 

[Twitches]

It is a two stroke, thanks for the encouragement.

 

[Scott Danforth]

my father used to lift the 50hp 2-stroke off the back of the old mirrocraft to store it in the shed every winter by himself.

he would bear-hug the motor, lifting with his legs and then set it on a block of wood on the skeg, then rotate it and lift it onto the engine cart.

two people can lift it without a problem

 

[Bondo]

Do I have to remove the flywheel in order to use the lifting ring?

Has anyone had success fabricating some type of strap system?

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,....... The flywheel stays put, 'n the Mercury liftin' ring screws into the threads surroundin' the flywheel nut,....

Usin' straps gets Tricky, as if yer liftin' for anywhere but the very top of the motor, they have a tendency to flip upside-down in a heartbeat, smashin' the powerhead,....

 

[Mercurylips]

Pretty sure you can borrow or rent a motor lift in a moderately populated area. Auto Zone loans out tools as does Advance Auto Parts.