Changing Flywheel and coupler

[krisnowicki]

Next weekend I am going to help a friend change his flywheel/coupler on his checkmate. He has a pretty roomy engine compartment. The stringers have about 6-7 inchs on them that we could slide the engine forward. After removing the drive. Could we use a cherry picker and come-along combo and slide the engine forward then change it while it is still down in the compartment? It seems like there is enough room but, I was wondering if it would lead to any gotchas?

 

[Coors]

Re: Changing Flywheel and coupler

Pull drive, so as to get everything off the rear mounts? Should work, while you have it loose, why not replace all the "hard to get to's"

 

[Don S]

Re: Changing Flywheel and coupler

You also have to get all the motor mount pieces back where they belong.
Just realize, the most common cause on Mercruiser couplers going bad is the rear mounts failing.
Of course, you never mentioned what you will be working on.

 

[krisnowicki]

Re: Changing Flywheel and coupler

He has the v-6 4.3 i think with an alpha one drive. Sorry.

 

[Don S]

Re: Changing Flywheel and coupler

Being as it's a Mercruiser, do change the rear motor mounts. You will most likely end up with the new style mounts, so pay close attention to the instructions (providing you get Mercruiser part) if you get aftermarket, who knows what you will have.
Doing an engine alignment is an absolute MUST DO. That is probably what caused the coupler to fail to begin with. Also make sure the splined shaft on the drive isn't worn. Compare the splines on the end to the ones at the ujoint end that doesn't see the coupler. You will be able to see the size difference if there is one.