88 Force 50 Powerhead

[Joe Woodman]

I have two manuals and have read all the relevant threads and still cant get the powerhead to release. have removed all the bolts from the spacer plate into the motor leg, the two 12 pt bolts from underneath, removed the lower end and disconnected the shifting rod. The powerhead will lift about 5/8 inch (bow) and 1/8 inch (stern). I am suspending the motor with an electric lift and there is a lot of movement but the head will not seperate. Can someone (Jerry) please help this frustrated boat newbie??!!

 

[Jiggz]

Check this video and see if it'll help. You mentioned the two 12 pt bolts but did you also remove the two shock mounts bolts?
94-70 HP Powerhead Removal

 

[Joe Woodman]

Thanks so much for your reply. Yes, I have removed the shock assembly and still no go.

 

[Jiggz]

Double check all around and use inspection mirror to see if anything is still holding it. If none, it could be just some old gasket or gasket maker paste holding it up. With tension on the lifting hoist, use a mallet or a 2X2 wood with a hammer to tap around the lower half (or even with the lower cowl) with a focus on the stern part. A pry bar will also do. In short give it a gentle nudge. Hopefully, that will do it. Again, this is with the assumption you already dropped the LU. Because sometimes, the powerhead will not let go even with a pry bar because the splines on the main drive shaft is frozen to the crankshaft.

 

[Joe Woodman]

Thanks Jiggz! I was able to load weight to the motor leg while suspending the powerhead with my lift until the gasket seal let go. It was really stuck! Finally, after about 20 paver stones, it let go.

 

[Jiggz]

Thanks Jiggz! I was able to load weight to the motor leg while suspending the powerhead with my lift until the gasket seal let go. It was really stuck! Finally, after about 20 paver stones, it let go.

You're welcome. So what kind of work are you going to do with the powerhead? Just out of curiosity.

 

[Joe Woodman]

Im swapping out the manual tilt/trim with a hydraulic/electric tilt/trim. Have to take the powerhead off to do it. I will do all the usual maintenance stuff
as I put it back together (carb, fuel pump, spark plugs etc..). Keep your eyes peeled, Im learning as I go and will no doubt need more input to get on the water. Got some time on my hands and got the boat cheap! Thanks again for the help!

 

[Jiggz]

Goodluck. Not really sure why the need to remove the powerhead to install an electrohydraulic T&T. Although, there is a recommendation to dismount the swivels from the transom (lifting the entire motor off the transom) for easier installation but never heard about removing the powerheads. But if you instead chose to switch swivel mounts (one with the T&T already mounted) then I understand the reqs of dismounting the power head. Maybe yours is different. Can you post a pic of the T&T system? Or maybe identify it with the link provided by Jerry in your previous post. Is it the single cylinder type or the two separate trim and tilt 2 cylinders type?

 

[Joe Woodman]

To get the old swivel plate off the kingpin and install the new swivel, you have to take the powerhead off. Seems like too much work but there is no other way to do it.

 

[Joe Woodman]

It is probably more accurate to say you have to remove the motor leg from the powerhead. The motor leg has a bump out under the kingpin which essentially captures the kingpin (which is attached to the cowell and sandwiched between the powerhead and the motor leg). Not how I would have engineered it but I really want power tilt/trim...so off with the head!

 

[Joe Woodman]

Something is wrong with posting pics today, Ill try later.

 

[Joe Woodman]

Goodluck. Not really sure why the need to remove the powerhead to install an electrohydraulic T&T. Although, there is a recommendation to dismount the swivels from the transom (lifting the entire motor off the transom) for easier installation but never heard about removing the powerheads. But if you instead chose to switch swivel mounts (one with the T&T already mounted) then I understand the reqs of dismounting the power head. Maybe yours is different. Can you post a pic of the T&T system? Or maybe identify it with the link provided by Jerry in your previous post. Is it the single cylinder type or the two separate trim and tilt 2 cylinders type?

Im having trouble with pic transfers today but the unit is a single cylinder attached to the swivel plate

 

[Jiggz]

Ok, thanks. Looks like you got this. Cheers.