Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

[acuraguy81]

I am pulling the motor in my 1990 omc 4.3. I have heard that leaving the out drive on is the best way cause of reinstalling issues. As long as I have 6 or so inches should I be able to pull the motor forward to get the shaft out, then pull it up and out?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

guess it`s possable but after you reinstall it, you will be pulling it again to replace the coupler.And if you do it again the same way, you will be pulling the motor again to do it all over again.
Drive/engine alignment is CRITICAL and is done after the engine is installed and before the drive is installed

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

so no im really lost please tell me how i should pull the motor and make sure it all goes back together the correct way also.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

You remove the drive first, raise the motor straight up and out.
do what needs to be done, reinstall the motor, check engine alignment,adjust if necessary, install drive.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

how do i check alignment when i put the motor back in?

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

bump?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

The alignment bar used on Mercruiser will work. Once the engine is installed and tightened down insert the bar with a coating of grease and look at the grease marks. If the bar slides in FREELY and the grease track are the same,your done.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

Ok where you get those at?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

eBay. Who ever told you to pull leaving the drive on...Don't listen to them, for they know NOT of what they speak.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

it said in my maintenance shop book that he alignment can be very tough and if there s enough room to pull the motor forward and out that would save alignment time and frustration. but i want to know from people who have done this not some piece of paper.

PS the heads are bad one cracked per machine shop, should i even bother with having the block checked cause the heads are so bad and plus the melted piston. Im thinking just getting a long block and swapping please tell me a good place to but a long block or a used motor please please.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

What maintenance book said this? It sure wasn't a factory OMC manual.

Alignment is not that difficult once you get the alignment in the ballpark.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

The factory OMC outlines the proceedure under "Engine Removal"
It states drive can remain intalled only if engine removal does not require disturbing engine mount height adjustments. and yes if theere is 6" clearance than you can pull the engine forward and out of the coupler.
The motor mounts can be unbolted from the block that way you don't disturb the height adjustment.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

Apparently you are correct. My Volvo manual says the same thing. I would still remove the drive and check alignment though. It takes so little time and the consequences so great, why would you not take the drive off and do an alignment.

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

i understand with what all u are saying. I just hope the outdrive comes off ok and its not seized on there.


PS i do not own and aligntment tool either just another $50 bucks for a tool i will use once i guess i can then sell it on ebay after i use it though just got to mess with doing it all.

I am going to get a truck 4.3 long block and use all marine gaskets and bronze freeze plugs will the heads be the same also?

 

[acuraguy81]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

bump?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Omc 4.3 removal best to pull motor

If you are going to keep the boat and do any maintenance you will need to check the alignment every year or so when you pull the drive to grease the U-joints, or when you need to change the bellows. If you don't do it then you will need it when you replace the $300 coupler that was ruined from NOT checking alignment or being lubed.

Or are we talking about a stringer drive here?

If not, leave the motor mounts on the engine and just pull the lags out. Much faster and easier to reposition.

The coupler alignment is sensitive because the splines in it are aluminum and can go bad real quick if not greased often (with spline grease) and kept in alignment.

Kinda like the front end on your car only having to pull the engine to change the tires.

But you can do it the way you want and come back and ask how it should be done when you have to do it over.

Just sayin' you read the book once, we have done the job dozens of times.