removing inboard engine

[imraan47]

Hey.
i have tried to rent a small crane but cant find anything. i was wondering if there are any other ideas of how to get an inboard engine out.
i have a 1988 2.5L mercruiser
there must be some way to do this other than a forklift..maybe something homebuilt .

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: removing inboard engine

some build A frames, i used a engine hoist but might not work on yours ,it was close and had to hook close as possible.let air out of tires or remve them get a bigger enine hoist .

 

[northernmerc]

Re: removing inboard engine

Buy or rent a rolling engine hoist/shop crane; they aren't expensive to buy. Or use an overhead set up from a strong beam. Or use a tractor with a front end loader. (Or cut a hole in bottom of the boat and just drop it out - just kidding.)

 

[LAC_STS]

Re: removing inboard engine

Have saw people rig hoists to a strong tree. Basically just some chains and a lifting device like a big come along. Maybe some pulleys.

I went and looked at a boat on CL a while back where the guy had rebuild the engine and he built a huge a frame like thing beside his house out of 4X4's and 2x6's and he used that kinda similar to the tree method.

Do some searching on here and you'll find some ideas.

 

[jeffnick]

Re: removing inboard engine

I've used a swingset/comealong for similar jobs.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: removing inboard engine

Build a frame similiar to a swing set OR call a tow truck with a small boom winch.

 

[spudshaft]

Re: removing inboard engine

Go to harbour freight or similar place and buy a hoist. May cost $200 or so but you can keep it and use again. Rigging up something with a comealong will cost about as much

 

[BigB9000]

Re: removing inboard engine

I like the tree idea:

 

[superbenk]

Re: removing inboard engine

I like the tree idea:

Aren't you supposed to lift the motor out of the car, not the car out of the motor?

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: removing inboard engine

For me, it would be a chain off the forks attached to the loader on the tractor. If you don't have access to that, do you have exposed rafters in a garage? Bridge across several with a beam, and tie off to that. No garage - you are only lifting out a 2.5 L. Get a couple of friends over and lift it out. Or start disassembling it until you can lift each piece out.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: removing inboard engine

I built a scaffold like used in the old west to hang bandits. It had 2 twelve foot 4X4 upright posts, 2 2x10 cross pieces and some 2X4s to keep the 4X4s plumb. Gusset all joints and use some 45* braces to stiffen it up.

 

[ziggy]

Re: removing inboard engine

i did the Aframe idea..

i'm on my second boat that i've pulled the engine in...

 

[Adirondack]

Re: removing inboard engine

Adds a whole new dimension to the term "shade tree mechanic".

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: removing inboard engine

How big of boat are we talking? I am reinstalling engines in a 30'x11" Sea Ray. Have a buddy that owns some empty warehouse space. (bad time to be commercial rental property owner) Put engine in the back of pickup truck with engine hoist. Drive to warehouse. Back under chain hoist hanging from big I beam. Lift engine out of truck bed. remove truck, back boat in, lower engine. Done. Cost $-0-

 

[Aloysius]

Re: removing inboard engine

I used a wrecker to pull the motors out of my Blackfin.

 

[imraan47]

Re: removing inboard engine

oh man taking this engine is not so easy i think.
i am able to get a forklift so no problem there

i have never removed the outdrive or anything.
i need to save labour cost so i will take it out hopefully tomorrow if all goes well and i can figure it out. then take the engine and have the coupler replaced then the mechanic will come down to install it as that i cant do because of alignment.
i will just follow the merc manuals and see if i get it.

 

[Adirondack]

Re: removing inboard engine

When I removing the engine support the engine, then remove the front mount as one piece. In other words remove the two bolts from the bottom of the mount that hold it to the hull, then the four bolts that hold the piece that wraps across the front of the engine. When doing it this way you are not disturbing the original alignment adjustment. Very few times I have had to make any readjustment on re-assembly when doing it this way.

The motors come out surprisingly easy, particularly if your shift cables are mounted on the transom. Most of the wireing is all in the one big connector.