Changing the starter on a Mercruiser 228

[Westport]

My 23' Marquis has a bad starter. The boat is equipped with a 305 chevy V-8 that sits way low between the stringers. I got down there to get the starter off, and man what a S.O you-know-what! Almost no room to work with and I can't contort my arms enough to get between the stringer and engine block to use a ratchet with out feeling like I'm about to break an arm.

I'd like to know if there's a way to take the engine loose from the motor mounts and raise the engine up a few inches with out putting something in a bind and busting something in the transom or elsewhere.

Any advice is definably appreciated because this ain't no fun!

Thanks!

Tim

 

[cr2k]

Re: Changing the starter on a Mercruiser 228

No unless you pull the drive. Often you can get at it by going in from the front gotta have long arms. I have often looped a piece of strap around the starter when going back in to at least take the weight off it while you position it. Another trick I use is to loop small rubberbands around the bolts to hold them in when going back in then you just have to line the bolts up. Don't worry about the bands they will either break off or just squish when you tighten the starter. Make sure you get new bolts too that is important.

 

[Westport]

Re: Changing the starter on a Mercruiser 228

Those are bitter words to hear, But, I figured that was the way it's going to be. . But that' not a bad idea. I'm planning to pull the lower to look at the Gimbal, U-joints and change the impeller, and pulling thee motor will give a good chance at looking at some other stuff too. like he lower of the transom, stringers, and give the bilge a good cleaning too.