Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

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Tolyn

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Jun 28, 2010
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57
Greetings!

Ok, so I am ready to take out my motor. You can have a look at the link to my project for pictures as to why. I have some questions about how to go about this. It seems easy enough but..considering what is at stake I'd like to make sure. I'll number them for the sake of reference.

1) Taking the lower unit off seems to involve 6 bolts plus the 2 on the lift/trim. I have built a stand for the lower similar to ones seen here. Do I need to take both sides of the lift/trim units off so each side hangs loose? or is just removing the bolts attached to the lower enough? (everything needs to come out so I can redo the transom)

2) Where do I lift the engine??? I have seen pictures of folks with engines hanging from hoists but have honestly never paid close attention to where the chains ran underneath. I am worried about putting a good portion of the weight of the engine on something that should not be bearing weight and damage something. I really don't need more problems at this point.

I'm going to rent one of the big engine lifts so I don't try to do something silly like chain it to a tree and have it break the tree and the engine.

3) Any other tips, tricks or things to watch for?

Respectfully,
-T
 
Don S

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T

Tolyn

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

Thanks kindly for the links Don S. Either 4shared or my computer is having some kind of issue since they seem to just show up as a blank page.

*Edit*
Ok I think I found them while I was wading through the stickied posts. :redface:
 
Don S

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

The 4 Shared site is down right now, I can't access it either.
 
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filafella

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

When I pulled my 7.4 I used the two brackets on top of the intake manifold. There should be one by the thermostat in the front (NOT the center lifting eye on the thermostat housing which is only for alignment) and one to the side of the distributor in the rear. Just hook the chains to them. Otherwise you'll need some engine lift brackets. They'll just bolt into the accessory mount holes on your heads and you'll hook the chains to them. Just make sure you put them on opposite corners of the engine to distribute the weight evenly.
 
Don S

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

attachment.php


filafella said:
The Merc manual says that these are only for "engine alignment", but they worked just fine for me.
Click to expand...

attachment.php


That just means you were lucky that the intake manifold didn't break, not that it's OK to use them.
It damned sure doesn't mean you recommend it to someone.
He has the link to the real manual, and it shows where to hook up for lifting.

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filafella

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

My mistake. I confused the "center lifting eye" (which my engine doesn't have) with the actual bracket, and mistakely thought the warning applied. My apologies! My original reply has been edited.
 
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Tolyn

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

I read the manual, went out and looked and found the top thermostat bracket and went "oh THAT one." and figured the other one was down where I couldn't see it. Went back in and read it again before coming outside and going "ohhhh... NOT that one!!!". Finally found the correct two lifting points. :)

I pulled my lower unit the other day.. um.. off of the boat (that sounded bad). The manual on install does not call for any kind of gasket sealant or anything. Only to make sure the rubber gaskets are properly seated in the proper locations. Weirdly enough however I found some kind of orange rubbery material that would seem indicative that someone had used some sort of sealant.

Presumably I just follow the manual, clean up that leftover gasket crud and just not put anything there? It would seem like water would enter along the seam but maybe that isn't a big deal as long as the other rubber gaskets are there to do their job?
 
Bondo

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

Ayuh,... Follow the Manual, not what some other Idiot did....:D ;)
 
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Tolyn

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

Ok! Probably this is a question that could be filed under "Duh...." but needs to be asked.

I have followed the manual for removing the engine. I am very close to the point of pulling it (hey... it's my first one so I'm nervous and it takes me a while). Anyway there are two big bolts that look like that go vertically through the transom bracket (one on each side) to hold the engine there? Sorry I don't have a picture of it. I would imagine this is pretty common (or is something else entirely).

Do I need to take those out?? It would seem like the engine would be attached to the transom bracket somehow and those are pretty big and look like it to me.

The manual does not say to take them out but it does not say to take the engine mount bolts out either (again.. duh..).
 
Bondo

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Re: Pulling motor and lower unit questions (Mercruiser 7.4l - Bravo 1)

Anyway there are two big bolts that look like that go vertically through the transom bracket (one on each side) to hold the engine there? Sorry I don't have a picture of it. I would imagine this is pretty common (or is something else entirely).
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Those are the rear motor mounting bolts that, Yes, have to be removed...
The nuts are held captive by the lower piece of 'em...

for reinstalling, I tape the nuts in-place with masking tape...
 
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