Need Engine removal advice

[Rodnator]

Hello everyone, this is my first post on iboats.com and I would like to seek some advice from those in the know. Although I have many questions, I think I need to establish some priorities. I have recently acquired a 1988 21' Celebrity Cuddy cabin runabout. I'm not even sure I know what the model is, but it is my intention to spend all of the time needed to restore this boat to a safe and reliable family weekend toy. It came with a mercruiser 5.0 V8 and an Alpha 1 out drive. The boat is in good shape with exception to a few issues that took me by surprise, and some that I knew about in advance. I knew the 305 was shot. It will start, but has a serious bottom end knock. It is my intent to purchase a long block and replace the engine. I also realized after the fact that the floor and related structure underneath needs to be replaced. Although I have never undertaken a job like this, the intimidation from the discovery was short lived, and I have decided after reading for several hours on this forum that I can handle this. I would like to be corrected if I am wrong. So... with both issues to be addressed, I think that removing the engine (it has to come out anyway) before starting the floor/stringer replacement can be addressed is the right thing to do. Although I have other floor related questions, this is about the engine removal. I would like to know if it is mandatory to remove the out drive in order to remove this engine or does it just make it easier. The engine is partially under the fiberglass at the rear so the engine would have to come forward and out at roughly a 45-degree angle. There are only a few inches the engine can move forward before floor structure gets in the way, unless I remove all of the engine components from the water pump forward i.e. pulleys, power steering pump and related assemblies. I am also having trouble finding the serial number on this engine, to find the correct replcement long block. It says on the spark arrester 5.0LX Alpha 1 w/ Thunderbolt ignition. Any help would be greatly appriciated.
Rod

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Need Engine removal advice

Howdy,

Well, first of all you might have a look at the "Adults Only" sticky above in the main Merc menu.

There's service info, manuals etc there.

Yes you must remove the drive before you proceed. It's the first thing you'll need to do to get the engine out. Merc serial numbers are usually on the rear/starboard side of the block down near the starter.

It should absolutely come out if you think you have floor/stringer rot since the front engine mounts and transom may be in the same condition.

If that's true you might start looking for another boat! (go to the restoration area for floor/stringer/transom restoration)

you also might even consider finding another boat (unless this is your hobby) It's far more fun to go boating in the spring/summer than work on one all summer! Just a suggestion!


Good Luck!


Rick

 

[flargin]

Re: Need Engine removal advice

Hey, Welcome to the boards!

I am/was in the exact same situation. I had to replace the soul(flooring) on my bowrider, and I was lucky, the stringers were fine, it was just the plywood. I studied for a while and then I went at it. Took me a few weeks, along with a complete re-upholstery job, but I am pleased.

Next I decided to Nuke my 454, so I am in the middle of the rebuild, I bought a Long block and I am swapping it out now. I did not go to Rapido, since they don't have 454's available, but he has a good rep on the boards.

The guys are right, it is a lot of work, but if you are relatively good with tools, it should be a fun effort.

You will have to pull the outdrive, get a friend to help the first time, after that you can judge the weight yourself. I have done it myself, but prefer two people (or I may build a rig to help). You may have to unbolt parts to get the motor our, including exhaust manifolds and pulleys. I did.


Not hard, just follow the manuals in the Adults only section-- DON"T USE the off-brands people say they leave a lot to the imagination between steps.... i.e. " hang motor on hoist, lower to install, add oil and start it up, if you need details on adding oil, see page 42-58" more of a guide than an manual.

I spent about $500 on new plywood and epoxy, carpet and I added a ski locker, you price may very.

Motor, I figure I am in for 3500-4000 with the longblock and the gaskets/seals/hoses/etc, not to mention the paint and 500 trips to Ace to get new bolts


To me this type of stuff is fun, but since I don't do it for a living... it takes me 10x as long as someone else... but as they say it will take a long time to get done, and you may not see much boating this summer.

Good luck, keep us informed.

 

[betayv]

Re: Need Engine removal advice

hi there yes like the others said take the outdrive out first inspect everything there, pull the engine and start doing the floor and stingers first, will be way better if you replace the 305 for a 350, here is some links that will help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzqGDrj5peA

http://mercstuff.com/

 

[tmh]

Re: Need Engine removal advice

Just so you know, for $4k you can buy a boat like that without a rotted floor and with a working engine. I bring this up so you know that once you're done with this major project you'll have spent nearly that about. Now, you WILL have a boat you know very well, that's for sure. So maybe for you it's worth doing.

I had to do part of the deck/stringers and i will tell you "fun" isn't a word i'd use to describe the job! It plain old sucks. It IS rewarding when you're done though.

Good luck.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Need Engine removal advice

Here's your best bet - a new engine complete from GM. Better than rebuilt - bolt your external's onto it and you are good to go. Costs less than $1,800. Can be bought from various sources. Here's a pic and link: