i need advice on an engine coupler replacement on mericruser 470

[robbie419toledo]

i would really appreciate some expert advice!!!!! obviously the engine will have to come out . do i need to remove the outdrive ? as far as i can tell only 3 bolts hold the motor in place 1 in front 2 in the back, the wires, and fuel line. should i remove the fresh water intake due to clearence?(a friend had the same problem on an identical boat and he cut out his live well! i don't want to do this) i heard also to tilt the bow up so it will come out easier is this a good idea? also swingset or engine hoist does it matter? how much dose the out drive shaft engage the coupler? thanks in advance Rob.

[Bt Doctur]

It all depends on how much room you have.Forget the swingset idea too.If you need a coupler you also need the rear rubber mounts replaced, their the leading cause of coupler failure.
pull the drive first, 2 rear bolts, remove the lags holding the front mount in place , cables, wiring, fuel line,grounding wires,etc.lift straight up,
rplace coupler, drop engine in , RECHECK ENGINE ALIGNMENT, install drive.

[bigskiohio]

just replaced a coupler my merc mech said rear mounts okay unless they are falling apart,bushing not attached to rubber. i used engine hoist and had it hooked close to engine and had plenty of rioom.

[mylesm260]

i would really appreciate some expert advice!!!!! obviously the engine will have to come out . do i need to remove the outdrive ?

Couplers fail because the engine and outdrive are not perfectly aligned with one another. The only way to align them is to remove the outdrive and use an alignment tool.

So to answer your question: you don't NEED to remove the out-drive to replace the coupler, but it would make it a whole lot easier, and on top of that, if you want you're new coupler to last, than you're going to want to align your engine, and in order to align you're engine, you have to remove the out-drive.

So.. What you need to do is:

Remove the outdrive
Remove the engine
Inspect everything (look carefully at the splines on your drive-shaft)
Change the coupler (lock tight)
Reinstall the engine
Align the engine (proper alignment tool)
Tighten down you're motor mounts (lock tight)
Verify the alignment
Grease the @#$@# out of you're coupler and splines
install you're outdrive

If you don't follow those steps, you will simply strip out you're new coupler.

And while you're in there:
Shift cable
Bellows
Gimbal bearing
U-joints.

IF you're going to pull everything NOW is the time to do all that stuff. Unless you're stuff is in perfect condition, change it.