Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

[ga80486]

I have to replace the tilt tube in my neighbor ladies 1994 Force/Mercury 70hp motor. And worse, I have to do it in the water on her pontoon . Any suggestions are appreciated, but I have a couple questions. There isn't room to slide the tilt tube out, so I have to unbolt the motor and move it over. There's a couple hooks molded into the stern brackets. Is it safe to hang the motor on the hooks while I work on it? And it looks like once I pull the tilt tube, the motor is unsupported and would basically fall in the water? Are there pins I can get to insert through the stern bracket, into the tilt bracket that will support the weight while I switch the tube? I'm talking about the 5 holes in a row that look like you can lock the tilt position.

I'm heading to my local marine store tomorrow, but would like to know if anyone has ever done this successfully, or should I make arrangements to take it to a shop?

TIA Gordy

 

[roscoe]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

I have to replace the tilt tube in my neighbor ladies 1994 Force/Mercury 70hp motor. And worse, I have to do it in the water on her pontoon . Any suggestions are appreciated, but I have a couple questions. There isn't room to slide the tilt tube out, so I have to unbolt the motor and move it over. There's a couple hooks molded into the stern brackets. Is it safe to hang the motor on the hooks while I work on it? And it looks like once I pull the tilt tube, the motor is unsupported and would basically fall in the water? Are there pins I can get to insert through the stern bracket, into the tilt bracket that will support the weight while I switch the tube? I'm talking about the 5 holes in a row that look like you can lock the tilt position.

I'm heading to my local marine store tomorrow, but would like to know if anyone has ever done this successfully, or should I make arrangements to take it to a shop?

TIA Gordy

I know I wouldn't want to do it that way.

I see about 5 reasons that would make the motor go splash.

You would be much better hoisting the motor off the boat, then replacing the tube while the motor is suspended.

 

[ga80486]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

I know I wouldn't want to do it that way.

I see about 5 reasons that would make the motor go splash.

You would be much better hoisting the motor off the boat, then replacing the tube while the motor is suspended.

By suspended I assume hanging from something. I didn't notice any lift points when I had the cover off. What do I hang it from?

Gordy

 

[roscoe]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

The inside of the flywheel is threaded to accept a lifting ring.
Remove the cover, screw in the lifting ring, and lift away.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...ories_Gear&hash=item483a9307be#ht_2813wt_1167

The motor weights 210#, so an engine stand or block and tackle should hold it nicely.

 

[ga80486]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

The inside of the flywheel is threaded to accept a lifting ring.
Remove the cover, screw in the lifting ring, and lift away.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...ories_Gear&hash=item483a9307be#ht_2813wt_1167

The motor weights 210#, so an engine stand or block and tackle should hold it nicely.

Thanks for the link. It's not exactly what I was hoping to hear, but I have a better idea now of what I need to do. I was trying to avoid pulling the boat out of the water because she doesn't have a trailer. Her pontoons are flat bottom so it won't ride on my bunk trailer, which means I'll have to rent a crank up. And then tow the boat to the ramp at the other end of the lake. And park the boat under a tree. Then rent the trailer again for the trip back. All do-able, but a pita.

But, thanks for the advise. I appreciate it.

Gordy

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

Doing it on the water is truly trying to add drama to your life. It is, however do-able. I do remember towing in a Mercury tower of power that broke a tilt tube while underway. Cables, controls, and steering kept it from falling completely into the water and we rallied and loaned line to the fellow to rope it up while we towed him (with three fellows holding it).

You must have at least three men and a boy, lots of rope and a "c" clamp or two. Remember that the only thing trying to hold the engine after you remove the tube will be the trim cylinder and that can pivot quite nicely. WERE I YOU, if at all possible I would use the new tilt tube to drive out the old one so that at least one side of the engine will be supported at the mounting clamp.

Yeah, those "hooks" on the front of the mounting clamps will hold them on the transom, but what happens when a wake comes along and rocks the boat?

 

[ga80486]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

Doing it on the water is truly trying to add drama to your life. It is, however do-able. I do remember towing in a Mercury tower of power that broke a tilt tube while underway. Cables, controls, and steering kept it from falling completely into the water and we rallied and loaned line to the fellow to rope it up while we towed him (with three fellows holding it).

You must have at least three men and a boy, lots of rope and a "c" clamp or two. Remember that the only thing trying to hold the engine after you remove the tube will be the trim cylinder and that can pivot quite nicely. WERE I YOU, if at all possible I would use the new tilt tube to drive out the old one so that at least one side of the engine will be supported at the mounting clamp.

Yeah, those "hooks" on the front of the mounting clamps will hold them on the transom, but what happens when a wake comes along and rocks the boat?

Part of the problem though is that the tube won't come out (luckily for me) because the steering cable goes into the frame and takes a quick turn towards the front. So I have to at least unbolt it and slide it to the left or rotate it away from the transom so I can get a straight shot sliding the tube out. Then after the new tube is in, and I replace the steering cable, I have to do the same thing to get the steering cable back through the tube.

This thing is going to be a pain even if I pull it and park it on dry land so I might as well bite the bullet and get it over with.

Any quick tips on towing a pontoon boat?

Gordy

 

[ga80486]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

The inside of the flywheel is threaded to accept a lifting ring.
Remove the cover, screw in the lifting ring, and lift away.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merc...ories_Gear&hash=item483a9307be#ht_2813wt_1167

The motor weights 210#, so an engine stand or block and tackle should hold it nicely.

Roscoe,

Do I need to take the flywheel nut off, or just put this on over the top of it?

Thanks,
Gordy

 

[surfsalterpath]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

...

...i guess the 1996 75hp force tilt/trim is different??
We are removing the tilt/trim cylinder while our pontoon
boat is IN the water and the motor secures up and out of
the way by sticking a hammer handle in between the brackets.
Thus leaving room to remove the lower bolts and tilt/trim
cylinder brackets. Our only problem is getting that blessed
upper clevis pin out and the snipping shrimp that want
to nibble from time to time

good luck.....or hope you finished!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

surfsalter, the tilt tube is not the tilt and trim.
It is the tube on the front side that the steering cable runs thru.
When you use the tilt n trim, it pivots around the tilt tube.


ga80486, sorry, didn't see your secondary question till now.

No, you don't loosen or remove the flywheel nut. You just screw the lifting ring into the inside threads.

 

[surfsalterpath]

Re: Replacing Tilt Tube '94 Force

surfsalter, the tilt tube is not the tilt and trim.
It is the tube on the front side that the steering cable runs thru.
When you use the tilt n trim, it pivots around the tilt tube.


ga80486, sorry, didn't see your secondary question till now.

No, you don't loosen or remove the flywheel nut. You just screw the lifting ring into the inside threads.

oh ok. Thanks. I know what you are talking about.
Ourstilt tube is very rusted.

Any ideas on the best way to knock out
the upper clevis pin or is it a position thing to remove this clevis pin?
when we pound on it it does not budge.

THANKS!!