mercruise 170 starter removal

OY..
I have a 1985 mercruise 170 i/o. and am attempting to remove the starter motor to replace it (I believe the field is weak). Any how.. It is the delco type with two 5/8" nylon mounting nuts on studs. I can barely get to the lower nut with a wrench and believe I can tease that one off. The top nut however is another story. I can't figure out a decent way to get that nut off the stud. I have removed and pulled the water pickup hose out of the crevase to try to make room but I can't get anything on the nut. The starter housing is too close to the side of the nut to get a wrench on it and there isn't enough axial distance to get a socket in there. The only thing I can see right now that may help is to remove the closed cooling hose that comes wraps around the block there. I could really use some guidance if there is any way to get around draining the closed cooling system and removing the hose to get some working room. The space around the side of the nut is probably only wide enough for a socket. (It has a 5/8" nut, not a 1/2" that other people seem to have.) I cant get my craftsman ratcheting wrench around it. Any ideas?
TIA.

Re: mercruise 170 starter removal

Look a little closer, they are not studs. They are through bolt that hold the starter on.
Yes, in many boat repairs, you have to take a lot of things apart to get to what you want. Just the nature of the beast. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

PS: Did you download the OEM service manual for your engine from the manual list in the Adults Only sticky at the top of this forum?

Re: mercruise 170 starter removal

Don..
Thanks for being there.

I do have the OEM service manual. It says-
1- Disconnect rhe battery cables.
2- Disconnect the wires from solenoid terminals.
3- Remmove starter mounting bolts.
4- Pull starter away from flywheel and remove from engine.

I will check, but I am pretty sure that I am looking at the nut end of the bolt. Does this mean I need to remove the flywheel housing cover?

Should I remove the lower one just to make sure I am thinking that I have what I have?
Or is ther some really useful tool that makes this easier?


Thanks..
David

Re: mercruise 170 starter removal

Even the OEM manual is not a tell all DIY manual that tells you every move to make. Look at where the nuts holding the starter on are, then follow straight back and look for the head of a bolt.
No you don't have to remove the engine and flywheel cover to pull the starter.

Re: mercruise 170 starter removal

Maybe my bad information..
The block is an older unit that I got several years ago when I rebuilt the engine. SN 5149836.

This may change the frame of reference.
I checked.. It is definitely a 5/8" nylon nut on a stud. neither the upper nor lower line up with anything on the flywheel housing in the back.

Don'y know if I could even remove the flywheel housing unless I pull the engine.

Re: mercruise 170 starter removal

If I end up having to create some room, can you recommend a good way to drain the cooling system? is there any decent way to drain and collect the antifreeze without getting it all in the engine well?

Re: mercruise 170 starter removal

Thanks for your kind consideration and the sharing of your knowledge.
Happy Easter.
David