Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

[beefsquad1]

I have a 20' Century boat or at least I think it is a century? The wood motor mounts are rotted. I could literally pull the wood out and put in a pile. So my solution is to put new wood pieces in and epoxy them into place and Glass over the top then secure the engine mounts back in place?? My question is can I jack the front of my motor up just enough to take the pressure off the mounts? I know that I cannot go far, probably a half an inch or so. I really don't want to have to take the transom unit off if possible and lift the motor out. By the way I have a Merc 260, I believe it is an 305? Any help with this would be much appreciated. I found this Iboats forum just a couple of days ago and it has been extremly helpful so far.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

I hate to be the one that tells you this, but if those mounts are bad, you probably have bigger problems to deal with. You should take some core samples and see if your stringers are rotten, and also check the transom.

 

[beefsquad1]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

Yeah I have pulled the floor completely up and found the only rotten wood in the boat is the two pieces of wood that the front engine mount attach to. I will put some links to pics tomorrow to better see what is going on.

 

[BobsGlasstream]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

beefsquad1,
I think that you could raise the front of the motor slightly. I would make sure I sealed the entire mount before putting it back in the boat. Then Glass it in also.

You should take some core samples and see if your stringers are rotten, and also check the transom.

I know you said that you have checked, but I would make double sure.
I thought my transom was good until I pulled the engine and found the rot.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

beefsquad1,
I think that you could raise the front of the motor slightly. I would make sure I sealed the entire mount before putting it back in the boat. Then Glass it in also.

I know you said that you have checked, but I would make double sure.
I thought my transom was good until I pulled the engine and found the rot.

Ditto

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

My question is can I jack the front of my motor up just enough to take the pressure off the mounts?

Ayuh,... At the very Least, you Have to pull the Outdrive off....
Then you can lift the front of the motor,... Slightly...
You have to pull the drive anyways, as you need to align the motor to the gimbel bearing in order to know Exactly where the front mounts need to be...

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

Lay a 4 by 4 across the top of the boat and use a lifting strap to raise the motor a little and remove the mounts,I have used this method to replace front coring plugs on mercrusers place some wood blocks under engine for security.

 

[beefsquad1]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

Thank you everyone for your help on this. I have decided to do it the right way and take the out drive off and the engine out! I have a forklift in our warehouse so this should not be a problem. Now about lining the motor with the Gimbal housing. Is the motor supposed to be level in the boat because mine is tilting towards the bow. If so, Can't I just mark where the mounts are now and take a lot of pics to be sure it goes back in properly. I guess I need a lesson on putting a motor back in.

 

[DukesFin]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

When moving your motor off of the mounts, it is imperative that you use the alignment tool to get it back where it NEEDS to go, exactly... Machined parts are not forgiving and if you use your measurements and pictures instead, you'll find yourself asking on the Merc Repair forum what that whining/grinding sound is as your coupler or U-joints start failing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing Engine Mounts in a 80 Century?

Now about lining the motor with the Gimbal housing.

"You have to pull the drive anyways, as you need to align the motor to the gimbel bearing in order to know Exactly where the front mounts need to be..."

Like I said,.... Stuff the alignment bar thru the gimbel bearing, into the motor to align it....
That's exactly where the mounts have to be....