missing tooth on ring gear first boat

[dove creek val]

I think I already know the answer to this but, I just bought my first boat 1989 carver montego with 5.7 mercruiser. Had three good runs, but then heard some ugly noises coming from starter. Then starter stayed on. I shut down electric night switch, tried again and just whirring noises. Figured bad bendix gear? Took off manifold/riser and got the starter off. Yup no teeth left on starter. Looked at ring gear, yup one tooth missing from ring gear. This means pull the engine to replace ring gear? Please confirm, really stupid to know you have one tooth missing and not change ring gear and-install new starter.
When I first looked at this boat, (brought a marine survey fellow to check out) all ran good-started fine. After first two runs became hard to start, felt like bad timing. I didn't adjust anything. Started not to run at idle that well. I adjusted idle up to 750rpm on carb. Could it be I knocked off a vacuum line to carb or wire or something- changing timing- making hard to start -putting extra load on starter-starter/ring gear failure? No points. Carburated.

Next set of questions:
( I am sure i have to pull engine) Is there any advice/step by step to remove engine? What not to do..
What else should I replace while engine is out?
Front crank seal has a bit of a drip, I will change that, oil, plugs, cap, rotor etc.
Starboard manifold came off to remove starter, can hot tanking be used to remove crud/rust from manifolds (not fresh water cooled)

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to any responses.

 

[Glastron_V210]

Re: missing tooth on ring gear first boat

You are stuck unfortunately. The engine has to come out.

You have to tell us what the engine is! In general though:

1) Pull all electrical off the engine (Usually a multi pin plug, the the starter wires)
2) Pull all hoses off the engine (Fuel, cooling etc)
3) Pull exhuast manifolds/risers off the engine (Optional, but really reduced the weight, and the complexity of disconnecting the ypipe)
4) Pull the drive
5) Pull the engine mounts (Rear cap screws, front mount nuts)
6) Pull the engine with something (Crane, etc) Safely!!!!!


The ring gear can be heated and tapped off the flywheel, then a new one installed.

Chay

 

[dove creek val]

Re: missing tooth on ring gear first boat

Thank you for answering this!
Engine: MCM 5.7lt s/n: oc606793
Transom:s/n oc700504
outdrive: SE106
Hull: CDRB5173B989
Boat: 1989 Carver Montego 23'

Can I hot tank the exhaust manifold and riser? Or is buying new the way to go? They run about 160-170 F when running wot.

Do I need to purchase an alignment tool to re-install engine? If I take the forward mounts off right at the engine block will I still have to align the outdrive-motor? Just don't know about that part yet as I haven't done this before.

Any new parts I should put in while the engine is out?

Thanks again for helping-youv'e given me hope!
VC