Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

[eba1225]

Ok, I know this is probably asked before but I could not find anything that helped me out and believe me I have looked.<br /><br />I have just aquired a boat with a dead engine and drive (to say the least). I have determined that it is an Alpha 1 (or pre Alpha 1 - 1974 vintage) drive. I have removed the 6 nuts, placed the drive in forward, and have been able to seperate the drive about 1/4 inch from the gimble and that is it. According to all that I have read I have done all that is needed to remove the drive, what am I missing?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Make sure that the drive is in fwd at the end of the shift cable,where the bell housing and out-drive meet. It could be broken/stuck, and not really going into fwd. They should both be facing straight fwd. It may be rusted in the gimbal bearing. Use hand force first, then wood wedges to evenly try to back it out. Try spraying some wd-40 or such from inside boat where drive shaft goes over-board....JK

 

[eba1225]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

J.Kopec,<br /><br />When you say both facing forward what do you mean?<br /> Is it something I would see in the boat or is it in the stern drive (out of the boat)?

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

I think he means like Step 5 arrow B or the last image in step 7 in the following link<br /><br /> http://www.mercstuff.com/alpharemoval.htm

 

[eba1225]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Marc c,<br /><br />Thanks will look into that tomorrow.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Spray some stuff into the engine side of the drive shaft too. The splines may have rust there as well........JK

 

[Trent]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Get a 2x4 about two feet long. Raise the drive by hand and insert the 2x4 between the gimble housing and the drive. Drop/push the drive down with some force. This will help the drive to come out.

 

[eba1225]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Well everything was facing forward but still not moving. I did tighten it back down and then redid the procedure and got anothe 1/4 inch. Do you thing that the drive maybe rusted in the bell housing?

 

[Alumarine]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Not trying to be a jerk but the trim cylinders are disconnected at the rear?<br /><br />In case the u-joints are hanging on something you might try turning the prop to rotate them a bit.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

I like Trent's idea alot. Penetrating oil on both sides of drive shaft will help .....JK

 

[eba1225]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Good one, yes the trim cylinders are removed. <br />I also tried the prop rotation bit, it seems that in forward, the prop clicks when turnd in the forward direction and dosen't turn when pushed in the reverse direction, is that normal?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

In fwd the prop should engage when turned ccw....Try Trent's idea, you won't hurt anything....JK

 

[eba1225]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Have been, will put a little more muscle into it and let you know. It does engage when turned CCW.

 

[eba1225]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Yippee, success, with lots of muscle and many lengths of 2x2 the hunk of junk is out and it is just as you mentioned, where the shaft entered the engine it was rusted.<br /><br />Thanks J.Kopec, Trent and Marc.<br /><br />Until my next issue, which I figure will involve the motor.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

Now the real fun begins.....

 

[eba1225]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.

you got that right...

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Problem with removing stern drive - won't move.