Turning outdrive upside down

[JGJR]

I've decided the project for the holidays is going to be repainting my Alpha One Gen II outdrive, it's in need of some maintenance. I'm thinking about using a stand that can support it in both the upright and inverted positions (removed from the boat, of course) to make it easier to get to the areas that need it. Once the fluids are drained, is there any problem with the outdrive being upside down?

 

[GA_Boater]

Not at all.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... With, or without oil, turn it any way you'd like,...... No problem,.....

 

[Scott Danforth]

make sure to remove from the boat first, other than that...... no problem

 

[JGJR]

Great. Thank you for the replies.

 

[NHGuy]

Just a thought. I've done this a few times.
I do most of the the surface work on my stand. Then I hang it from the ceiling with a cable and a bolt through one of the holes for the mount studs. On the cable I finish my last little bit of sanding. Then wipe down, shoot the primer, scuff, wipe and color.
BTW that green aluminum primer is super dangerous. Gloves and respirator level stuff, no paper nose filters. Wet mop the floor when you are done.

 

[QBhoy]

Apart from it being still attached to the transom...no. Go for it. Probably more wondering why you want it upside down in the first place...haha. Maybe I’m just envious that I can’t do such a thing with mine. Just a thought...although an alpha 1 is about the lightest of them all...she’s still a heavy thing for such a thing. I’ve always been as cautious as to have a lump of wood under any drive I’ve taken off a boat. Alpha one not so bad for one guy...but a 290dp or bravo is a fair lump when she comes loose for any man. All the best!

 

[tpenfield]

Make sure NOT to store the outdrive for any long period of time (months) without refilling the oil. Nothing good can happen to it when it is stored without oil.

 

[achris]

Make sure NOT to store the outdrive for any long period of time (months) without refilling the oil. Nothing good can happen to it when it is stored without oil.

Unless you're the dealer selling a new drive.

 

[JGJR]

So, in the process of prepping my outdrive for painting, I was removing the continuity washer from the starboard middle mounting hole on the outdrive and the screw holding it on sheared off. I don't like blowing stuff like this off but it's going to be a pain to dig it out. How essential is this component, and what would the ramifications be were I to leave it off? This boat is not equipped with the Mercathode system, if that matters, and I can't tell from descriptions if this application actually does anything. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[achris]

Yes, that wire is quite important in corrosion prevention. Without all components being electrically connected to each other and the anodes, any isolated part(s) will be unprotected. And being without Mercathode makes it MORE important that all components are 'connected'. Drill another hole very close to the screw that sheared and connect your continuity wire to BARE METAL there (the 'bare metal' part is very important)... Once you're done and everything is back together and installed on the boat, take a multimeter and check that you have continuity from the battery negative to every surface on the drive and transom assembly, including all of the anodes. I also check continuity to the very end of the propshaft (and even the propeller itself) and the ends of the trim rams.

Chris.........

 

[JGJR]

Thanks Chris, that makes things clearer. One thing - there is no wire attached to this washer. I'm inferring from your description that this washer, via the screw through the painted surface of the gear housing, "connects" the studs to the rest of the outdrive. The wires I can see are run from the transom assembly to the bell housing, and the continuity from there is through the studs. Correct?

 

[achris]

Ah, ok it was the grounding tab that the screws was broken off from. Same rules apply. You might need to turn the washer upside down in order to find a drillable area.

Yes, that washer 'connects' the bell housing to the drive upper housing ('Drive shaft housing' is the Merc designated name), as part of continuity.

Chris.....

 

[JGJR]

Great. Thank you.