2 Mercruiser-1's stuck in same way

[nickmellon]

Yesterday I went to someone's house to pull his engine and sterndrive, same exact models as mine. The upper came free but got stuck an inch off the housing. Seemed to be held on by something near the bottom right stud. After a few hours fighting this, I concluded the bearing must be seized and drove home.

Yes, the unit was in forward.

Today, I attempted to pull mine off and encountered the same exact issue. Making me think I'm missing something! I've attached a pic to show where I'm at. Any ideas? My only guess is the shift shaft right above the bottom right stud is somehow bound up in there?

 

[dubs283]

2x4 sideways in front of the drivshaft housing cap

Lift the drive upwards to wedge the 2x4 between the top cap and gimbal ring. That ought to force the drive off

 

[alldodge]

^^agree
Guessing the drive has not been off in a while

 

[nickmellon]

Tried that. I have been very aggressive with it. This one and the other guy's. It wants to go, it seems that everything is free, except whatever is holding it in place in the bottom right corner.

Someone suggested the shift fork is seized up somehow. It is the only other piece of hardware in that area. But even if it was seized I don't see how it could resist the prybar I was using

 

[nickmellon]

And the fact that BOTH of them have the issue... I must be missing something

 

[alldodge]

ok, reattach the cylinders and place 2x4 above the drive so when trim moves up it contacts transom housing. Let the hydraulics do it

 

[nickmellon]

ok, reattach the cylinders and place 2x4 above the drive so when trim moves up it contacts transom housing. Let the hydraulics do it

That's an idea. Thanks! The hydraulics didnt work last I checked but I could fix that and give it a go.