Pulling starboard 4.3L Mercruiser

[paradise#1]

Hello All,
I'm new to the forum and I have a couple of questions. First the basics, I have a 2004 Regal 2860 Commodore with twin 4.3L Mercruisers with around 400 hrs on them. Last year before the season started in April, I had both outdrives, Bravo 3's, rebuilt, almost $10K.

I also put in new Gimbal bearing, shift cables, bellows, sanded and repainted the transom plate, bell housing and Gimbal ring. I put all new bushings and sleeves in everything I painted. Let's just say that everything from the transom plate out was pretty much new. This year its seems that I will have to pull the starboard engine to replace a flywheel. I plan to pull the motor myself, and I'm pretty mechanical, so I am pretty confident about doing it. Just looking at it, it looks like all I have to do is remove the lower unit, undo the wire connection, fuel line, raw water inlet for cooling and the two motor mounts and lift it out. Is there any underlying problems or anything I might be missing to pull that motor? And while I have it out, is there anything else I should repair/check etc.?

Thanks for your help

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[Scott Danforth]

Welcome aboard

do you have to replace the flywheel or do you simply have to replace the coupler or ring gear?

flywheels never wear out. the ring gear is a $14 part from your local auto parts store and should have lasted the life of the engine unless your starter bendix is having issues. the coupler should have lasted a bit longer than 400 hours, however could be bad from a poor alignment.

once you pull the drive, pulling the motor is easy.

you will need to align the motor once you put it back in.

 

[bman440440]

also there are 2 rear mounts on the flywheel housing as well as ground cables and the main battery lead to the starter also outdrive gear lube reservoir here us a pic to give you an idea on the rear mounts as well as cooling hose

 

[Rick Stephens]

also there are 2 rear mounts on the flywheel housing as well as ground cables and the main battery lead to the starter also outdrive gear lube reservoir here us a pic to give you an idea on the rear mounts as well as cooling hose

bman Nailed it. Exactly right.

Pulling sterndrive engines is purely a matter of how good the overhead access is for the hoist. Disconnecting motor from everything is about half hour for me after just a few times.