Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

[cleanvan]

Hi all, I am a long time lurker and have a quetion that I hope someone can answer.

I have a 1989 Thompson Fisherman 240 with a Merc 4.3 /Alpha One that needs an engine coupler. It appears I have plenty of room to do the job without removing the engine, has anyone ever done it without removing the engine?

Thanks in advance for your help

Steve

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

bell housing needs to come off ,so engine will have to be removed unless you can get to the coupler bolts. Engine pull not to bad . if you work on it steady less then 8hrs if that,probably could be done alot faster with three gear heads.
Engine hoist and alignment bar needed .On mine wiring stays on motor. But mine was a 120 merc so it could be different.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

Ayuh,... You can pull the motor,+ then move it ahead to change the coupler,....
But,...
The motor MUST be pulled....

Pull the Outdrive 1st....

 

[gadget73]

Re: Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

What they said. The engine has got to come forward at least far enough to pull the bellhouse off, and to do that you're unbolting everything neccesary to just yank it out of the boat. Much easier to do that job on the ground, and its also a good oppertunity to clean the bilge and inspect everything you can't see with the motor in place. If you have a boat like mine, you'll find all those tools you lost over the years.

 

[cleanvan]

Re: Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

I pretty much figured I'd have to pull it but thought I'd ask. I've done similar jobs before so I know what's involved.

bigskiohio - I am shooting for 6 hours, I want to be back in the water!


Thanks for the quick responses.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

6 hours is very doable. If you have an impact gun engine can be out in less than an hour ( my record is 12 minutes with drive already off ).

Don't take the engine mounts off or apart just pull the lag bolts form the stringers. Much faster and easier to realign that way too.

Think everything from the lowest/closest to the hull/stringers comes off.
maybe not even the manifolds just the coupler hoses.

about 3 ground wires. trim plug, water hose, electrical plug.

not too much else.
DO TAKE NOTE of the spring/washer stack on the rear mounts.
IF NOT put back in correct order you will not get alignment. If you have to really force the drive back on, you will be doing it all over again real soon.
And the couplers are not cheap at $275+ ea.

I use a rubberband to hold the rear mount bolts in the bell housing and duct tape to hold the nuts in the slots on the bottom.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

6 hours is very doable. If you have an impact gun engine can be out in less than an hour ( my record is 12 minutes with drive already off ).

Don't take the engine mounts off or apart just pull the lag bolts form the stringers. Much faster and easier to realign that way too.

Think everything from the lowest/closest to the hull/stringers comes off.
maybe not even the manifolds just the coupler hoses.

about 3 ground wires. trim plug, water hose, electrical plug.

not too much else.
DO TAKE NOTE of the spring/washer stack on the rear mounts.
IF NOT put back in correct order you will not get alignment. If you have to really force the drive back on, you will be doing it all over again real soon.
And the couplers are not cheap at $275+ ea.

I use a rubberband to hold the rear mount bolts in the bell housing and duct tape to hold the nuts in the slots on the bottom.

No one ever believes your best times, do they? My personal best is 16 minutes.

 

[cleanvan]

Re: Replace Engine Coupler without RR engine?

I got it done in about 6 hours by myself. It wasn't too bad but two people would have been a little quicker.

I had her out on Lake Erie tonight and she ran great!

Thanks for the replies.