Precautions when removing motor mounts?

[jboozer66]

Unfortunately, i need to replace a freeze plug on my 4.3 liter mercruiser engine and i'll need to remove the RH motor mount to do so. I have stared at this for days walking through the necessary steps to do this and wanted to see if i'm on the right track.
-Remove outdrive
-Support engine with wood block and bottle jack at front edge of oil pan
-Loosen RH mount at block and hull stud
-Jack engine slightly to relieve pressure on mount and hopefully work mount out of position
-replace freeze plug and re-assemble

Is there anything i'm missing? If i have to remove both mounts, how far can the engine be jacked up without damaging the transon or gimbal assembly?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

-Loosen RH mount at block and hull stud

Ayuh,... There's 3 bolts into the block,+ probably 2 into the hull,... remove them, rather than the adjusting stud...

You're headed the right way, just be Sure to realign it before you reinstall the drive...

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

Howdy,


You only need to raise the front of the engine slightly to relieve the pressure on the engine mount. I would loosen the other front engine mount too. The rear mounts can take a little movement but it won't take much to get the front loose.

Once the outdrive is removed (and the yoke is out of the coupler), you can raise the front of the engine quite a bit (an inch or so) but I would only move it enough to get the mount out of the way.

Make sure you put something under the engine that cannot slip out. (without a hoist, I would use a couple of horizontal 2x6's across the gunwales and a piece of chain or cable come-along, etc to the front of the engine as an added support)


Obviously you'll need to carefully align the engine/drive going back together.........


Hmm,


Replace a "Freeze" plug........ Did it pop out? If so, you may have "other" problems when you get it back together.....After you get it back running, watch your oil level closely and check for water intrusion.


Regards,


Rick

 

[Don S]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

Before you go to all that work, get one of the rubber expansion plugs and put in open hole. Then pressureize the cooling system. You may very well have a cracked block and need an engine, not just a core plug.
Might want to read this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=192525

 

[jboozer66]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I have my manual for the sterndrive to cover removal and installation of the drive but haven't found anything on aligning the engine. Is there a special tool required to do so? Better yet, a manual outlining the process? The engine is in a 2006 Regal 1900.

Thanks again!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

Thanks for the advice gentlemen. I have my manual for the sterndrive to cover removal and installation of the drive but haven't found anything on aligning the engine. Is there a special tool required to do so? Better yet, a manual outlining the process? The engine is in a 2006 Regal 1900.

Thanks again!

Go to http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342393

You'll find a manual for your engine/drive.


Did you have freezing weather in your area recently and was your engine winterized properly?

 

[jboozer66]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

Before you go to all that work, get one of the rubber expansion plugs and put in open hole. Then pressureize the cooling system. You may very well have a cracked block and need an engine, not just a core plug.
Might want to read this http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=192525

Unforunately i can't even get a temp plug in without removing the mount....not enough room between mount and engine to squeeze in. I like the idea, but if i'm going to have to remove the mount anyway, i figure i may as well do the brass plug and hope for the best. I forgot to take 1 of the 5 drain plugs out when temporarily storing and a core plug popped out of that particular side of the block. I'm hoping that since all the other drain plugs were out and most of the water, i didn't suffer the effects of a full block freeze.

 

[jboozer66]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

Go to http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342393

You'll find a manual for your engine/drive.


Did you have freezing weather in your area recently and was your engine winterized properly?

I did have freezing weather and had only removed the drain plugs (except for 1 accidentally) to drain the water and prevent damage. This is what i've typically done for several years now when short term storing in the winter. I generally run the boat once per month in the winter.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

Well,


You my have "lucked" out! This is why Core plugs are called "Freeze" plugs!

You'll know when you get the hole plugged up and you either run the engine or pressurize it.

That block frequently cracks under the intake manifold in the cyl wall area adjacent to the pushrods.

You might be able to see cracks by removing the intake manifold but the most reliable check is a pressure check.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

That block frequently cracks under the intake manifold in the cyl wall area adjacent to the pushrods

Ayuh,... With a 1/2 drained block, there's No water that far up in the block...
If there's any Cracks, they'll be down on the side with the popped core plug...

 

[jboozer66]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

I wanted to follow up and thank you guys for the advice. I replaced the core plug yesterday. The only real complications i had were being 6'2", 220 lbs and trying to get down to the dang thing. It took about 4 hours with many breaks (anger management). Now that i have the drive off, i'm going to drop it off to the local shop and have the water impeller replaced and shaft seal. One question though, when reinstalling the 4" lag bolts for the motor mount, should i coat the entire bolt with marine adhesive/sealant or just apply it around the bolt head/mount opening?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Precautions when removing motor mounts?

when reinstalling the 4" lag bolts for the motor mount, should i coat the entire bolt with marine adhesive/sealant or just apply it around the bolt head/mount opening?

Ayuh,.... Whatever trips yer trigger...
keep in mind though,... You might be the 1 taking it back apart someday....