40HP Lower (trim bracket) broken bolt

[SierraMark]

I am trying to replace my trim motor on my 1991 Mercury 40 oil injected motor.

I cannot get the dowel out of the bottom rod as described in the manual so my plan B was to remove the 3 nuts and bolts on the starboard side of the motor and the 3 bolts that are on the port side of the motor.

I started by taking off one nut and bolt from the starboard side and I realized that with the trim motor/reservoir the bolt would not come out so I looked at the port side and saw that there were only bolts.

I figured if I take those bolts off and remove the nuts on the other side I would be able to slide off that entire trim unit.

I tried one port side bolt and it was stuck solid. I went to the next one and it started turning then it snapped off in my hand.

At this point I am completely bummed and thinking that maybe my delusions of repairing and soon rebuilding my boat might just be beyond my ability but I am hoping that is not the case.

So, I spoke with my auto mechanic brother and he said to drill it out and if need be we can put a helicoil in there and no problem.

My questions to you are:

1. does that sound like a good plan?
2. Is my assumption that I can get the trim unit off in this manner a correct one?
3. should I just throw all the pieces/parts into the boat and haul it off to the marina where they will undoubtedly have no issue replacing all these parts with shine new expensive ones?

Thanks,
Mark

 

[SierraMark]

Re: 40HP Lower (trim bracket) broken bolt

Are my post's not written well?

This is not the first time that I've posted and have had roughly 80 views and no comments?

I try to give the detail needed for the problem, maybe I give too much detail?

Any feedback to either this question or to my original question would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[SierraMark]

Re: 40HP Lower (trim bracket) broken bolt

Ok, we are now up to 138 views and no comments so I will update my status.

I tried heating the 2 remaining bolts with a propane torch and then putting some penetrating oil on the threads. Tried the bolt again and no go. I heated the bolts again and let them cool....still no go.

I then broke the other 2 bolts. There is a lot of corrosion.

I drilled out one of the broken bolt but not all the way to the threads. Tomorrow I will drill out the other 2 bolts and see if I can get the trim motor assembly out.

I ordered a new trim motor, my brother looked at mine and said it was completely shot.

-Mark

 

[SierraMark]

Re: 40HP Lower (trim bracket) broken bolt

hmmmm...238 people watching me talk to myself...lol....well I'll update in case anybody ever needs this information.

I ended up finally getting the piece off. I also found out that this piece is called an anchor bracket.

I ended up having to break and drill out 4 of the 6 bolts. All 4 of these were screwed directly into the anchor bracket. The rmaining 2 bolts were through hole and secured with nuts, which I was able to get off.

I never was able to get the lower dowel out but I don't think I need to.

the anchor bracket is going to my brother who will drill out the remainder of the bolts and helicoil the threads so I can put this thing back together.

-Mark