Must I pull engine fto replace transom? 3L Mecruiser

boatdude100

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jun 29, 2017
Messages
128
Do I have to remove engine for Transom replacement or can I remove outdrive, cut fiberglass and replace from behind?
Mercruiser 3L 1996 Bowrider.

Is there a way to replace transom without removing engine? Thanks!
 

chevymaher

Commander
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Mar 29, 2017
Messages
2,937
If you are replacing the transom then the stringers and motor mounts 99% of the time need replaced also. So removing the engine is mandatory. It is rough enough getting the transom in and out with the engine out of there.
 

tpenfield

Moderator
Staff member
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Jul 18, 2011
Messages
18,452
All seriousness aside, It's a rule . . . you have to take the engine out.

Really cannot do a transom with the engine in the way, plus you probably need to check the engine mounts and stringers.
 

Tnstratofam

Commander
Joined
Aug 18, 2013
Messages
2,679
It is not recommended to try and do a transom change from outside. Especially on a sterndrive as the gimbal housing and motor connections go through the transom. Pulling the engine is fairly straight forward, and so long as you label all your connections it should go right back in. Buy yourself an alignment rod and shift cable adjustment tool for reinstallation.

Chevymaher is spot on on the stringers. It is rare that the stringers and engine mount aren't also rotten and in need of replacement.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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The 45 minutes it takes to pull a drive and motor will save you 45 days of monky-farting around trying to work around the motor that you will end up pulling anyway
 

mickyryan

Rear Admiral
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Apr 18, 2016
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4,216
The 45 minutes it takes to pull a drive and motor will save you 45 days of monky-farting around trying to work around the motor that you will end up pulling anyway

i got so good at the 3.0 it takes 15 lol you got 4 mounting bolts 2 IN FRONT 2 on bell housing to outdrive 1 electrical plug 1 hose behind the engine near head the shift cables fuel line starter and ground wires and its yours after loosening the big clamps on the exAUST.
thats just to yank engine, id suggest pulling outdrive first but i have done it with out before by pulling engine foward to dislodge yoke, however you will need to pull outdrive to realign and install but doing transom all that comes out anyways , also will need a 12 point socket for the bolts holding the pipe to outdrive for exaust , get a manual for further info.
 
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