removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

[Ants]

Hi,

Just aquired a 17' Dateline Bounty that needs some restoration (it has sat around unused for many years), it has a Mercruiser 140 GM 4cyl circa late '70s.

Anyway the trim rams dont move despite the pump whirring, have disconnected the ram ends from out drive and they still dont move, from inspection I suspect the anodes on the end of the rams have badly corroded and may have 'clamped' / jammed the ram (of course also possible that there is further problems inside ram, but first things first). How are you suppoed to remove these anodes? Do they screw into the end of the ram, or is there any form of grub screw etc?

The rams are so tight I cant even rotate them (I presume I should be able to when they not connected to drive?), so common sense says that its not surprising they wont go in / out.

Also how do u get the anodes off the ram arms as they appear to be complete rings around the rams (presuming I can ever loosen them off the end of the cylinder...), the attachement points at the ends of the ram are welded on so cant remove it so as to slide it off. The pics I have seen of new anodes have a section cut out of the circle to go onto the ram, is there a filler piece that then goes in that slot thus then formaing a complete circle?

So far I have soaked them in penetrating oil with no luck


Any tips appreciated as I am more familier to sailing yachts with prop shafts, than outdrives!

Many thanks,

Anthony

 

[Ants]

Re: removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

In case it helps, here are some pics of the offending item:

Also forgot to say have checked both the Mercuiser and Clymer service manuals and can find no mention in neither of any of this.

Thanks again,

Anthony

 

[Don S]

Re: removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

That's not an anode, it's the actual end cap for the trim ram.

 

[Ants]

Re: removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

Ahh ok, oooops, that explains why it wont come off then! So they dont have and anodes huh? Bit odd as they dont appear to be electricaly bonded to the rest of the outdrive (rubber shock mountings insultate each end).

Ok so the rams are still both locked tight in all directions (I have now removed them to the workbench), whats the best way to try to free them? The brute force and ignorance approach in me says to put them in a large clamp and try winding them down (both currently extended) and back up again as necessary, is that likly to work? Any idea how they open up to inspect them / replace seals etc? I am guessing that the end caps would need to somehow come off to expose an end plate that would be removed?

Or are they typcally nor servicable / fit for the bin once they get locked up and the alloy end caps corroded?

Many thanks, Anthony

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

Ahh ok, oooops, that explains why it wont come off then! So they dont have and anodes huh? Bit odd as they dont appear to be electricaly bonded to the rest of the outdrive (rubber shock mountings insultate each end).

The ss hoses connect them with regard to corrosion.....

Ok so the rams are still both locked tight in all directions (I have now removed them to the workbench), whats the best way to try to free them? The brute force and ignorance approach in me says to put them in a large clamp and try winding them down (both currently extended) and back up again as necessary, is that likly to work? Any idea how they open up to inspect them / replace seals etc? I am guessing that the end caps would need to somehow come off to expose an end plate that would be removed?

Or are they typcally nor servicable / fit for the bin once they get locked up and the alloy end caps corroded?

Many thanks, Anthony​

They have rebuild kits.......
Peruse section 5D of this link:
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6covr3.pdf
​

 

[Don S]

Re: removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

Wrong manual, and wrong cylinders in that manual HM, his cylinders are off a Merc One drive. Late 70's version.
He needs manual #4 for those cylinders.
Manual number 6 is only good for the 83 to 90 R, MR, Alpha I drives, transom shields, and trim systems.

 

[Ants]

Re: removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

Great info, thanks guys!

Does anyone have a copy of the #4 manual to just quickly check if it says they can be rebuilt? If so I will go buy a copy of that manual also (otherwise I guess I had better put the money towards some new cylinders :-( ); I already have the Clymers but that doesnt really cover the trim cylinders at all.

Much appreciated,

Anthony

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: removing ram anodes- pre Alpha outdrive

I'm gonna guess that they are not all that different from one another.....
I would be very surprised if they were not rebuildable......​