Wife is smarter than me

[jsimms724]

Here is the deal the tilt tube on my 84 merc 115 is gettin rusty, had to use a some heat this past spring to free it up. So I thought take care of the problem now that the season is over for me. my plan was to lift motor with []a come along secured to garage rafters I was all set to run to home depot to get some lumber and thru bolts to shore up the rafter, anyway the wife comes out in garage to visit for minute and ask what i am up to. I explain my plan tying to impress her with my well thought out project. She looks at the boat looks at me and says why dont you lift it up with the metal thingy we pull the kids with . (see photo )we both sat on the bar I weigh 230 she goes about a buck twelve does anyone here see a problem with this . any advice or comments are appreciated I have been told the the inline six weighs 295#IMAG0058.jpg (136.6 KB

 

[matt167]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

yes. Come alongs are for pulling, not lifting. If it slips, your $$$ outboard will come crashing down. Other than that. The bar most likely is strong enough to support the engine but your not going to find the clearance to use the proper chain hoist. 300 lbs sounds about right

 

[jsimms724]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

yes. Come alongs are for pulling, not lifting. If it slips, your $$$ outboard will come crashing down. Other than that. The bar most likely is strong enough to support the engine but your not going to find the clearance to use the proper chain hoist. 300 lbs sounds about right

I am changing tube , I only have to lift it about a inch or so, if i I understand correctly I wasnt even gona lift off the transom all the way< if wrong about that some one tell me please

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

Gee, Why not just clean the tilt tube? Usually the old grease and some minor rust is the issue, and it cleans up pretty easy. Some folks use gun cleaning materials on 'em. Be sure to grease it well with the marine grease. Heck you are in sweetwater land.

 

[82rude]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

agreed chris, no need to lift atall.

 

[jsimms724]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

Gee, Why not just clean the tilt tube? Usually the old grease and some minor rust is the issue, and it cleans up pretty easy. Some folks use gun cleaning materials on 'em. Be sure to grease it well with the marine grease. Heck you are in sweetwater land.

I will try to clean it out first, I am just fortunate enough to have a complete parts motor in the shed Thanks for the advise

 

[79Merc80]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

You don't have to unbolt the engine from the hull to remove the power trim/tilt system, so why would you have to to clean it? The tilt tube connects to the engine and the bottom connects to the transom bracket. All you have to do is use the tilt support lever, disconnect the wires and and disconnect from engine and put it on a work bench. It makes more sense too me. Just a thought though.

Craig

 

[emoney]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

The only issue with your theory, is you tested it by having two, "controlled bodies" sitting on it, as opposed to the dead weight of the engine, which would feel 40-50% heavier. Also, you balance your body weight when sitting like that and the OB won't be balanced. The load pressure will be placed on where the bar attaches to the boat, so if there's any chance it angles backward, that will change the amount of force you're placing on it. I still like your original idea better.

 

[emoney]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

You don't have to unbolt the engine from the hull to remove the power trim/tilt system, so why would you have to to clean it? The tilt tube connects to the engine and the bottom connects to the transom bracket. All you have to do is use the tilt support lever, disconnect the wires and and disconnect from engine and put it on a work bench. It makes more sense too me. Just a thought though.

Craig

I think he's talking about the steering tilt/tube, which does hold the weight of the motor. I know if I removed mine the motor would come crashing down.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

Worse comes to worse, buy a drill the same diameter as the steering rod and run it thru the tilt tube to clean up any corrosion. Lube it up well.

 

[phillnjack2]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

to take out the tilt tube is easy.
put trailer nose down on the ground with the use of the jockey wheel.
put engine in straight down position and place a block of wood under the skeg.
go back to the front and slowly raise trailer to take a touch of weight from the engine.
now as you undo the tilt tube slide a heavy bar in from the other side to keep engine in position.

now you can either clean or replace tilt tube with a new stainless tube.

with a decent bar in where the tilt tube was the engine is safe and will not crash anywhere.

your trailer is gonna be safer than a beam in the garage and much easier to use when replacing the tube.
the jockey wheel can be raised or lowered at a much finer degree than a chain-hoist or engine lift.


phill

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

BTW a 12 gauge metal bore brush and a cleaning rod work wonders in steering tubes.

 

[jsimms724]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

to take out the tilt tube is easy.
put trailer nose down on the ground with the use of the jockey wheel.
put engine in straight down position and place a block of wood under the skeg.
go back to the front and slowly raise trailer to take a touch of weight from the engine.
now as you undo the tilt tube slide a heavy bar in from the other side to keep engine in position.

now you can either clean or replace tilt tube with a new stainless tube.

with a decent bar in where the tilt tube was the engine is safe and will not crash anywhere.

your trailer is gonna be safer than a beam in the garage and much easier to use when replacing the tube.
the jockey wheel can be raised or lowered at a much finer degree than a chain-hoist or engine lift.


phill

Phill what a great tip You are the man. That being said I am probably gona tell the wife I thought of it all by myself (just kidding) thanks for your help

 

[oldman570]

Re: Wife is smarter than me

If it is just the inside of the tube that is rusting do as Chris says. I bought a piece of steel rod at the hardware store smaller that the cable rod and cut it length wise so emmery clothe will slide in it, and wraped the emmery cloth around the rod and chucked it in a drill and polished the inside of the tube with it after pushing a old sock sprayed with Barke Clean from the Automitive store thru it to clean all the old grease out of the tube. A wooden dowel rod can be used also. Works great and can be used over if needed later. New seals might be needed for the tube ends that will help keep the tube sealed and prevent rust from forming. JMO
Oldman570