Engine coupler

[211libwtfo]

The other day I had to pull my buddy in. Motor was running fine (86 chapparrel Powerplay 454 mercruiser alpha 1). When put into gear could feel it go into gear but no forward or reverse movements. Sooo figured he spun the prop. Installed new hub and prop and on testing today there was still no movement and noise coming from back of motor along with heavy rubber smell from engine hatch. Is this the engine coupler? Or....?

 

[achris]

Sounds like the coupler. Engine out.

 

[211libwtfo]

Pull motor to replace?

 

[achris]

Pull motor to replace?

Yep.

 

[211libwtfo]

Are there specialty tools for motor removal? I understand the alignment tool yea but to pull the motor is there other tools needed?

 

[indy440]

a gantry crane or excavator or something else big enough to get the motor up and out, otherwise just basic tools.

 

[211libwtfo]

We’ve got an overhead hoist so that’s the “easy” part but my buddy keeps saying there’s some specific tool to separate Ujoints but I thought that was only needed if you pull the outdrive

 

[Scott Danforth]

Are there specialty tools for motor removal? I understand the alignment tool yea but to pull the motor is there other tools needed?

overhead crane/hoist/jib/crane/giant tree branch/front-end loader
simple hand tools
lifting chain
alignment tool (for putting it back in)
new coupler
cooler of beer

should take about an hour to have the drive off and the motor hanging from a hook about an hour to clean the bilge and get the coupler replaced, then about an hour to put things back and be aligning.

 

[211libwtfo]

“Simple” hand tools

thanks a ton from nw Illinois

 

[Scott Danforth]

once you get the drive off, you may need a bellows tool and gimble bearing driver if you find the bellows are bad and the gimble is bad.

the rest is sockets, ratchets, wrenches, screw drivers, etc.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Pulling the drive and motor, installing the coupler and reinstalling everything may take Scott Danforth and achris just two or three hours, but mere mortals or neophytes who haven't done it before might want to allow a couple of extra hours...

 

[kenny nunez]

Also figure in some extra time for Murphy’s Law.

 

[tank1949]

And what causes couplers to fail other than usage? 1986??>??Rotten stringers/transom. Get ready for a lot of aw-sh!!!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

And what causes couplers to fail other than usage? 1986??>??Rotten stringers/transom. Get ready for a lot of aw-sh!!!!!

lack of annual alignment inspection.

during the alignment inspection, you are checking and adjusting the alignment to keep it true. you are also adding grease to the splines, and most importantly, when you figure you have to make 4 turns on the mount nuts....... you look and see.....Holy Cow Batman, the stringers are rotten and the motor is falling...... I better fix that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Pulling the drive and motor, installing the coupler and reinstalling everything may take Scott Danforth and achris just two or three hours, but mere mortals or neophytes who haven't done it before might want to allow a couple of extra hours...

if you are doing the annual inspection, the drive should come off without a hitch and the adjustment nuts on the mounts would not be frozen.

so after the drive is off, you have 2 hose clamps on the fuel line, 4 hose clamps on the exhaust, shift cables, a large plug on the harness, 2 battery cables and then the 2 front mounts and the two rear mounts.

worst case, you need to grind the heads off the rear mounts.

 

[Rivergator]

should take about an hour to have the drive off and the motor hanging from a hook about an hour to clean the bilge and get the coupler replaced, then about an hour to put things back and be aligning.

....that is if you are in your cozy bed and having sweet dreams about pulling your engine out of your boat. Reality is quite a bit different. Be prepared to spend a couple of days getting your engine where you want it if all goes well. Murphy will be looking over your shoulder at all times and f.u.up whenever he can. Remember your boat is a 1986 and if that engine has never been out you are in for a ride (corrosion and rust). Follow my thread "Engine Removal on 1988 Sylvan" - Good Luck and let us know how it all goes. As far as the stern drive goes that should be fairly easy. You are done with that in an hour. If you have never done any of this like it is in my case (I am not a newbie to this, I am very familiar with Volvo Pentas, but this is my first Mercruiser endeavor) do a lot of googling, youtubing and research and be informed, because Murphy is watching you. But with all the great, experienced gear heads here on iboats, we shall overcome and succeed in the end.

 

[achris]

... As far as the stern drive goes that should be fairly easy. You are done with that in an hour. ...

An hour! Man, I've heard of relaxed, but that's positively comatose...

Watch my video. If you can't remove a drive in 15 minutes, you're just not trying... I think I had mine off in under 4.

Chris....

 

[211libwtfo]

The motor came out slicker then snot on a door knob. Total time was 3.5 ish hours for outdrive and motor. Hopefully next time we can lower that......or wait not hopefully?!! I had to leave after this so didn’t really get to poke and prode the stringers but they looked good. Side note GO CUBBIES!

 

[211libwtfo]

Soo now we wait on ups,fedex or whoever is on parts delivery duty. It’s hotter than Haiti’s this weekend and my kid has a motorcross race all weekend. We mite squeeze in a pontoon ride but I’ll get back here on assembly

 

[redneck joe]

And what causes couplers to fail other than usage? 1986??>??Rotten stringers/transom. Get ready for a lot of aw-sh!!!!!

A crooked and sh....hole shop that does not completely bolt down your motor mounts after a new transom / motor mount stringers so why you are goosing the motor the whole thing is lifting off the mounts thus jacking up the alignment to the drive.

or so i've heard......