1996 50hp Merc Force Lower Cowl removal???

[Alx132465]

I have just received a 1996 50hp two-stroke Mercury Force outboard for free. The guy that gave it to me was replacing the head gasket and ended up stripping out the threads on the very bottom right Bolt. Which easy enough I can tap it install a helicoil if I have enough room. But of course the lower cowl is in the way and it is all one piece. I see the four bolts for the lower cowl but I'm about 99% sure the powerhead and starter and everything is too big for the lower cowl to slide over. Does anybody know how to take the lower cowl off? Do I have to take the powerhead off? And how do I do that? Lol. I can't find any videos on any of this. Thanks in advance

 

[Chris1956]

It looks like the cowling will not come off w/o pulling the powerhead. However, there is a lower (lowest?) cowl piece that is removeable. Look for some Phillips screws. After taking that off, you should be able to push the cowl down in the back to get to the bolt. Drill the old boat out very straight, or pull the powerhead and use a drill press to get the necessary precision.