NEED HELP QUICK....lifting 80hp Thunderbolt from boat

[Signal 20]

So I am in the process of restoring my 81 Malibu Trihull 17ft center console right now and yesterday I made the decision to stop denying the fact that the motor will eventually have to come off. So I rigged up a come along to a 2x6 stud and now Im trying to lift the motor from the boat. Problem is I dont know where on the motor is the best place to attach the hook and cable. I have it on the rear "handle" looking piece on the back of the motor. I could not find a lifting point attachment on the motor. I feel like this is not a good place to lift the motor from as it doesnt seem load bearing and when the motor comes free of the boat I'm sure it will wanna fall horizontally.

The motor is a 1981 Mercury Thunderbolt 80hp 2stroke. PLEASE HELP as its currently dangling in the garage from the come along

 

[Chris1956]

Re: NEED HELP QUICK....lifting 80hp Thunderbolt from boat

They are lifted by the flywheel. Merc sells a eye that screws into the center of the flywheel. There are two other ways to remove it though.

Stand it on it's skeg and have two guys hold it vertical, and jack up the tongue of the trailer, and it will come off. It is only 4 cylinders so two guys can drag it where you want.

The other choice is to install some plumbers strap between two of the eight bolts on the flywheel and hook it to the cum-along. Now lift it up and pull the boat out. Be very careful that the strap is strong enough.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: NEED HELP QUICK....lifting 80hp Thunderbolt from boat

There is a special lifting tool which screws into the center of the flywheel.If you can't locate one I would suggest attaching a chain to two points on the engine and attach the come along to the chain.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: NEED HELP QUICK....lifting 80hp Thunderbolt from boat

80 is a 4 banger 2 good men can lift it off.

 

[Signal 20]

Re: NEED HELP QUICK....lifting 80hp Thunderbolt from boat

I have called about 8 Mercury dealers in my area and no one has the lifting tool in stock.....I might try to just muscle it off like everyone is saying, I will call the neighbors over for help, they owe me anyways. The only other problem I was having was the 2 main bolts that hold the motor to the transome were giving me some trouble. I gave up for alittle and I'm taking a break now as when I was working on it it was 7am and I didnt wanna wake up the whole neighborhood by wacking the bolts with a hammer I'll go back to it soon....

thanks for the replys so far

 

[Texasmark]

Re: NEED HELP QUICK....lifting 80hp Thunderbolt from boat

I have a 90 hp 3 cy (later model with TT) and it is listed at 300#. I made my own lifting mechanism by getting another nut (carbon steel) that fits the flywheel threads and welding a piece of pipe (about 3" long onto it with a loop made out of scrap steel and attached to the end of the pipe. There is just enough threat protruding above the engine's flywheel nut to give me some threads to attach to.

My 2c,

Mark

 

[j_martin]

Re: NEED HELP QUICK....lifting 80hp Thunderbolt from boat

I have a 90 hp 3 cy (later model with TT) and it is listed at 300#. I made my own lifting mechanism by getting another nut (carbon steel) that fits the flywheel threads and welding a piece of pipe (about 3" long onto it with a loop made out of scrap steel and attached to the end of the pipe. There is just enough threat protruding above the engine's flywheel nut to give me some threads to attach to.

My 2c,

Mark

The proper tool is the best, of course, but this isn't a bad eye. Only thing is I would remove the flywheel nut and screw the home made lifting tool tight down to the flywheel.

I wouldn't try to lift it with plumber's strap. It's just too light and likely to tear.

Necessity is the mother of invention.....

And, of course, the father is poverty.

hope it helps
john