difficulty level of swapping a power head?

[astampfel]

I have 2 johnson engines, one is a 'X' model with a 27" shift rod heigth, and the other is a 'L' model with a 22" shift rod heigth. I want to switch the 2 heads. How involved is this process? I have a factory manual (not SELOC or the other knock off), and the process is two pages long. It does not seem bad to me, but I wanted to get some advice from people that have done it (tips would be great). I don't have a cherry picker or any designed lifting device to pick up an engine. Do you think I could use some type of pulley system hung from my garage door track frame to lift the power heads?

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: difficulty level of swapping a power head?

If they are the same hp and the same year, the job won't be hard at all. As far as your gargage door track for lifting the powerheads, I might suggest a 2x4 "leg" from the track to the floor on each side of your pulley system for some extra support. I've always thought they should sell outbards by the pound as they can be quite heavy.

 

[James R]

Re: difficulty level of swapping a power head?

I would not recommend using the garage door tracks. If you bend those you can be out bucks and a lot of work. Most tool rental places have engine hoists. Worth the effort.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: difficulty level of swapping a power head?

Good suggestions. You don't happen to have a handy tree in the backyard? I temporarily put an 8' timber vertically up to the garage ceiling to support the center of the (two car garage) selected rafter/beam, then ran a chain around the beam. Crank the trailer nose dolly all the way down. Secure the engine chain tight to the overhead beam. Then crank the trailer dolly all the way up. The chain will tighten and the powerhead should lift off the midsection.

 

[Auxlarry]

Re: difficulty level of swapping a power head?

Not sure which powerhead your talking aobut but my 85 V-4 I lifted off myself and set the new one in place. Done it twice and never really had any issues.
Enjoy the job, it's not that difficult!