Removing outboard from transom?

[scottrbishop]

Hey all,

I am going to be doing some transom/hull work this weekend and I'll have to take the motor off to do that. Could somebody please outline how exactly you take an outboard off a boat?

I could probably wrestle it off with the help from a few people, but I think It'd probably be wise to invest in an engine hoist. How exactly do you attach it to the hoist?

It's a 1973 Mercury 85 HP Long Shaft

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

Scott, I pul a 1/2" lag bolt into the header above my garage door. I hang a block and tackle from the bolt to the top of the motor's flywheel. Now I use a piece of steel plumbers strap and bolt it to the flywheel using two of those red 5/16" bolts that cluster around the flywheel nut. Now take up the slack and jack up the trailer tongue.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

proper way to lift a merc is with a lifting eye. it screws into the center of the flywheel. then use a come along, as described above, or a engine hoist.
http://www.boats.net/aftermarketparts/ob/ProOBCat05-357.html

 

[scottrbishop]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

Thanks much guys! That's what I needed.

31.25 for an eye bolt... Ouch! Can I use an eye bolt from my hardware store, or would you recommend against that?

Or is there another DIY way to attach to the motor? (Might be selling this one and don't want to invest in mercury specific tools if I don't have to)

 

[scottrbishop]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

Scott, I pul a 1/2" lag bolt into the header above my garage door. I hang a block and tackle from the bolt to the top of the motor's flywheel. Now I use a piece of steel plumbers strap and bolt it to the flywheel using two of those red 5/16" bolts that cluster around the flywheel nut. Now take up the slack and jack up the trailer tongue.

So could I use 5/16 eye bolts from Home Depot instead of the Merc part?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

make a sling, out of 1/2 inch rope, use the handle type things around the lower cowl. make it short, as the rope is going to strech. i lifted my 1350 this way twice. have something ready to put it on.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

Ditto. Don't use a hardware store eye...they aren't up to it. Make a sling out of rope or a tow-strap (check at stuffmart). Secure the sling, drop a chain over a large tree limb (as big as your leg), lower the trailer tongue to raise the motor/sling to the chain, hook on and raise the trailer tongue. Remove trailer/boat and set it down on a engine stand. Not a job for one person, even if you're a BOB (big ol boy) like me...protect your shoulders/back and gut, surgery is not a nice experience.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

my name is BOB, but i not a big ol boy, i have to use leverage. man handling anything over a 50hp is extremely dangerous.

 

[DJ]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

Here's my process. You need one freind/helper.

1. Run the trailer tongue jack all the way down.

2. Put the motor all the way down.

3. Put a 2" X 4" under the motor skeg.

4. Unbolt the engine.

5. Run the tongue jack up. Viola! the motor is now free standing.

 

[Lakester]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

Here's my process. You need one freind/helper.

1. Run the trailer tongue jack all the way down.

2. Put the motor all the way down.

3. Put a 2" X 4" under the motor skeg.

4. Unbolt the engine.

5. Run the tongue jack up. Viola! the motor is now free standing.

Thanks for that geometry lesson. i shall remember it.

regards
lakester

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Removing outboard from transom?

That's the ticket, using leverage. I can't do that anymore with anything over 25 hp, so I recommend the big tree option, or two very large, friendly BOBs to lift it off. If you do the leverage and 2X4 thing, have someone handy as stated to help keep it upright until you can put it on a stand.