Replacing Motor mounts

kwajalein waters · Dec 23, 2007

Happy Holidays all,
I discover rotted wood in the motor mount boxes

confused

I was going to drill them out bigger and bigger until I found clean wood, which I did on the starboard side, but the the port side I had to completely remove all the wood and reglass it. So my question is what is the best way to align the engine? I took measurements prior to starting this, so should I just use the measurements? Also on the starboard side I put 1" wood rods back in and glassed them in with epoxy resin, is this going to hold? It's a 19' cuddy with a 350 OMC. Thanks and Merry Christmas!

tashasdaddy · Dec 23, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

i'm moving you, to the I/O forum.

flabum · Dec 23, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

Which OMC? A Stringer mount or a Cobra?

kwajalein waters · Dec 24, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

Sorry about the miss post

I'll try to get it right next time! It's a Cobra.

Bondo · Dec 24, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

Ayuh,.......

Your Measurements will get you somewhat Close,.......
An Alignment Bar will get you Dead On.........

flabum · Dec 24, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

As Bondo said, get an alignment bar. Using the bar is simple.... just put some grease on the tip of it and shove it in. Pull it out and look to see where the grease has been rubbed off. If it rubbed off the top, the front of the motor has to go up, if it rubbed off the bottom, front of motor gotta go down. Off the right side, front of motor gotta go right etc........ Once you get your bar sliding in and out real easy, your'e done.

kwajalein waters · Dec 25, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

Thanks! So just set the rear mounts in and adjust the front mounts as needed? Also, how often should you change the transom seal out? I just aquried this boat. Should I change it out just because im in there or should I test it by bolting on the outdrive and pluging the water hose and see if she leaks? It has been out of the water for about 3 years and getting parts on this island takes about 3 weeks. Thanks

Don S · Dec 25, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

So just set the rear mounts in and adjust the front mounts as needed?

Yes, the only movement needed is up and down as long as you don't have the engine pushed port or starboard when you bolted the engine down.

flabum · Dec 25, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

kwajalein waters said:
Thanks! So just set the rear mounts in and adjust the front mounts as needed? Also, how often should you change the transom seal out? I just aquried this boat. Should I change it out just because im in there or should I test it by bolting on the outdrive and pluging the water hose and see if she leaks? It has been out of the water for about 3 years and getting parts on this island takes about 3 weeks. Thanks

I'd replace all the rubber parts in that transom assembly.

kwajalein waters · Dec 27, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

Sounds good, I am replacing all the rubber, but now another noob question. I check in my not very informative selco manual and there is nothing on resealing the transom. Is all the goes on the outer transom plate the 3m 5200? I have a gasket that seems to go right around the transom opening, does this go on the outside.....?

Also I noticed that the lower starboard side bolt hole is pressed in about 1/4 inch. Does this need to be fixed? The wood is NOT rotted and is dry, it looks like it may have been over torqed. Sorry for the ignorant questions.

flabum · Dec 27, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

There is a high-desity foam gasket that get's glued into the gimball housing where it meets the transom. Merc says not to use any sealant on this gasket when mounting the gimball, but if you want to smear some 5200 on it, you can. Just remember though, with 5200, if you ever take it apart again, the gel-coat will be ripped from the transom....yes, 5200 is THAT strong. Use 4200 if you want.

flabum · Dec 27, 2007

Re: Replacing Motor mounts

That depressed bolt hole does indicate wood rot. With that boat sitting for 3 years, there may not be any water in the transom now, but there prob was at one point. You just replaced some bad wood up by the front mounts.....no telling how much rot is in the transom.

Replacing Motor mounts

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