I believe I read somewhere (in one of the iBoats forums) that someone with a similar boat/engine configuration was able to (barely) get an engine hoist to fit over the top of the gunwales in order to lift his engine. However, since I really don't need to lift the engine - I merely need to support it while I remove the mount - I'm thinking that using a block under the engine/oil pan, and some other support mechanism, should be sufficient.
This concept that I have to "re-align the motor" is new to me. I presume this has to do with insuring that the driveshaft, coming from the engine, must be perfectly aligned with the pinion gear in the upper gear housing, right? Considering that I will have to eventually remove the outdrive in order to service the hydraulic trim lines (discussed earlier in this thread), I presume the engine would have to be re-aligned at that time, too. If so, does anyone see any problems with blocking the engine up, (re)moving the port engine mount, re-installing the port freeze plug, and putting it all back together without re-aligning the motor in order to do a coolant system test ONLY?? In other words, if I never put the transmission in gear, but merely get the freeze plugs back in place and hook up the muffs, then run the engine up to operating temperature; would this cause problems?