Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

[boatgrunt]

I have a 1989 OMC sterndrive powered by a GM V6 4.3L engine. The OMC shop manual says to pull the vertical drive to perform routine/yearly maintenance, so I guess I'll be pulling it. Does anyone know how much the vertical drive for my engine/drive would weigh? I don't have any special equipment, so I would have to remove everything by hand - is this possible/adviseable. Any other tips welcome.

 

[MRS]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

I have the merc-120 the first time I pulled it I loosend every thing up and called a friend to help me lift it I was not sure how heavy it was going to be. I figured it would be stuck anyway so while I was waiting for help to arrive I hit it with a rubber mallet and it fell right off in my hands lucky it is not that heavy but help is good the first time you take it off.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

Thanks MRS. Someone also suggested suspending it from a strong tree limb. They said it doesn't weigh more than 150 lbs. Do you have to re-align anything when putting the drive back on?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

You shouldn't have to realign if just taking the drive off but that's assuming it's aligned now. If possible it's always a good idea to check it with the tool as things happen over time, motor mounts can get compressed etc. You might be able to borrow/rent the tool from a local shop, pretty sure the newer style fits both Merc and OMC or you find one cheap on eBay.

 

[MRS]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

one more thing if it is like a merc make sure you put and leave in forward gear before you pull off the unit. Good luck.....

 

[lakelivin]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

double post; most questions already answered in your post in General Boating section:<br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=013770

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

I have the Cobra on a 5.7 and I pulled it this summer by hand by myself. My guess is it weighs more like 80 to 100 lbs. Enough to be clumbsy but not unmanagable.

 

[boatgrunt]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

LakeLivin - yes, this is a double post...you caught me- sorry. I let this post sit for a day and heard nothing. I did repost to the non-engine board and received some great responses on building a stand to hold the drive if anyone is interested.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

MRS <br />Member # 61567 posted October 19, 2005 06:20 PM<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /> one more thing if it is like a merc make sure you put and leave in forward gear before you pull off the unit. Good luck..... <br />

This is an OMC and unlike the Merc you leave it in Neutral to remove/install the outdrive.

 

[MRS]

Re: Pull the Vertical Drive for Routine Maintenance?

Boatin Bob Thanks for the info. I have only worked on my old (1970) merc. Have a friend that just got a boat with omc outdrive told him to get a manuel for it first thing. Thanks again.