1996 Mariner 115 center section removal

[pinellas50]

I am in the process of addressing the swivel bracket on my Mariner. I need to replace what I call the engine mounts and check to make sure the steering arm is still OK with all the rust going on. I wasn't able to locate a true shop manual for this engine and I'm working with only a Seloc manual.

I have removed the lower unit and the power head. Now I am trying to get the center section off but I am having issues with rusted nuts/bolts. It looks like I am dealing with only 4 long bolts going through the mounts into the center section that all have nuts on the end of them. It looks like all I should have to do is take the 4 nuts off and the center section should pull away from the swivel bracket and off. But the nuts are so rusted I can't get a wrench to turn anything.

Do I just need to take a cut off wheel to the nuts and cut them out or am I missing something? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[pinellas50]

Never mind. I got it all apart.

 

[Chris1956]

If you need to replace the motor mount bolts, I would recommend you replace them with the exact same type of bolt. On my old Merc 1500 IL6, the motor mount bolts were grade 8, 7/16X6" fine thread steel bolts. In case you are tempted, common Stainless Steel bolts are about grade 2.