Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

[Expert Computer Care]

My bro and I got a new boat(used)last year. 21'Wellcraft with a 1988 Johnson 185 hp VRO V6 engine to make a long story short, after all the alarm nightmares, new t'stats and water pumps, we found that the tube that the pump sends the water up to the engine in had a bad gromet at the top allowing the water to run back down through the housing. In an attempt to remove the powerhead to fix this we came across the frozen bolt syndrome hence 3 came out 3 broke, lower end, prop, water pump, driveshaft ect also removed, head still will not come off, soaked for days, the piece the head sits on is it expensive? Can I trash this part to get the power head off? Please help running out of money. Need sound advice please!! Or am I SOL... need to be fishing

 

[Frank Martin]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

we use the flywheel puller hang the motor and boat from crane and heat with burning torch the adapter housing where the bolts go thru it change from bolt to bolt tap with hamer dont lift to high sometimes lets go all at once boat drops power head goes flying

 

[BKool68]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

You have the six long bolts removed but how about the nuts at the front and back?

 

[Pst76]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

Before you heat try using a penetrating oil called PB magic. Stuff is awsome. Spray bolts down good and let soak for about 5 min. I have rebuilt many old auto motors and disassembled exhaust mainfolds and as long as it was sprayed never broke a bolt. Also used on a broken bolt that held my tilt motor on a 115 Johnson that was all oxidized and it worked in enough to only have to tap loose with a hammer. Used to be only available at auto shops, Napa auto but I have seen it at Bennys stores recently. Give it a try.

 

[Wellcraft 89]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

P-B Blaster great stuff !<br />Use it all the time on rusted stuff<br />Rich

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

BK68 has got a point...<br /><br />If your motor is anything like mine, you should have 8 studs/bolts total.. The two in the front should be in front of the shift linkage...

 

[G DANE]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

When you get your powerhead off and error fixed, do a search on broken bolts/ snapped head and get a TIG welder fix them. Far the best method !

 

[seaker]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

yes we do have all the bolts out . we will try hanging it for a few days

 

[Walker]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

Six long bolts, 3 on each side. 2 nuts in the rear, 2 or 4 nuts up front.

 

[Expert Computer Care]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

We will double check the bolt count. We did use the PB Blaster Pennetrating oil. We have 3 long bolts on each side and one small in the rear and two small in the front. I do believe we have them all. This thing is real stuck. We will hang it and try the torch but is there anything we should be worried about damaging with the torch, other than the obvious of course. Are you talking propane torch or the real stuff, oxy & Accetelene? I really want to thank you all for all your help, my bro posted also he is Seaker, and we are not having much fun anymore. We need to be fishing!!! I will keep you posted on the progress.

 

[sag2]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

I had trouble getting two studs loose on my 135 Merc. Lucky they were both on the same side and I was able to work the powerhead up and down slightly on the one side and used all the other methods mentioned. Finally came loose. <br />My Merc dealer said if you can get a hack saw blade in there to just cut them off and fix when you get the powerhead off. This was a last resort, but better than a several thousand dollar anchor.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

What motor do you have? There was no 185 in 88. If its a crossflow make sure you got the nuts in the front and rear.<br /><br />Post the model number.

 

[Expert Computer Care]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

I must agree on the anchor, anything would be better than that. Can't get any space under the head for cutting, as of yet anyway.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

If you have a looper you don't have all the bolts out. On a looper there are 14 bolts and 3 nuts. <br /><br />Take a peek again.

 

[seaker]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

The model # is j185tcrs it is a 85 not 88. It has 3 long bolts on each side 2 nuts in back 2 nuts & 2 bolts in the front. it will be hung and burnt and beat this weekend . Thanks again for all the input. Rob

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

OK. Thats a 1984 185 crossflow. Unfortunately you do have all the bolts out. I wish it were simpler. Youre right, just heat the aluminum around the three broken bolts and hope for the best. We have had to split the aluminum and reweld later in cases like yours.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Expert Computer Care]

Re: Powerhead won't come off..Broke bolts.Now what?

Well we finnally got the powerhead off. What a nightmare, we hung it, sprayed it, heated it, then finally got up to the power head and cut off the bolts with a thin blade dremel. The bolts were still stuck in the housing we pounded heated and sprayed fpr hours got all but one out, so far. We havn't even got to getting the flush cut off bolts out of the head. Can't be much worse (I hope). Any sugestions for heli-coils, I hear there is a new device that is supposed to be better. With a little of everybody's help we acomplished what we set out to do. Thanks so much. Is the welding the stainless bolts with stainless rod the best method to get them out?