Engine 165 Mercruiser: Need Help

buttons

Recruit
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
1
I just bought a 1978 boat with a 165 Mercruiser engine. I found out that I have a cracked blocked. I went ahead a bought a rebuilt motor 165 Mercruiser engine. I need to know, when I am pulling the engine, do I or don't I pull the transitt. Is like pulling the engine without the transitt. I have pulled everything else that is needed off the old engine on to the rebuilt motor. (Also, do I or don't I pull the transitt). Please help
 

chiefmike58

Seaman
Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
60
Re: Engine 165 Mercruiser: Need Help

buttons, if it is an I/O you should first remove the outdrive and then after disconnecting all engine wires, mounts, fuel etc., engine should lift out. The flywheel on the engine has an engine coupler that the shaft from outdrive goes into. Hope this helps.
 

spdms02

Cadet
Joined
Jun 12, 2002
Messages
7
Re: Engine 165 Mercruiser: Need Help

Buttons, the stars must be aligned today... I was going to post the same message. I have a 165hp GM/Mercruiser inline six with a cracked block in a Searay. Oil is a white sludge after 30seconds of running, changed oil a couple times same thing... bad winterize. My question also was do you have to remove the stern drive. The merc manual doesn't mention it, but in the engine installation instructions it says to get an alignment tool, insert into gimbal from outside to 'index' the bearing and drive shaft.?????? Everything looked straight forward until I saw this. What do you think? Can I ask how much you payed for your rebuilt. Did it contain everything except starter, alternator etc. Did it include the carb?
 

RandyJ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Messages
808
Re: Engine 165 Mercruiser: Need Help

I can't see where your R&R of the motor would be any different than my 140 I just got an education on. YES, pull the upper& lower unit(outdrive). Might as well split it and put in a new water pump impeller while you're fooling with it. I read about using the alignment tool also, but every shadetree and boat shop I talked to said "aw heck man, just eye ball it." Well, that's what I did. I ran at 3/4 throttle for 30 minutes, reached to back of the motor and put my hand on the coupler and it was cool so I guess it worked just fine. I found that my upper unit slid perfectly into place with no forcing once I had taken sand paper and cleaned up the drive shaft and installed new o'rings. I could feel the o'rings slip into the gimbal bearing when putting her back together. Before I had to practically beat it apart and beat it back together. Clean parts definitely help. As for the removal... take pictures if possible before disassembly, make notes, label or mark everything you can. It is much more simple than swaping out a 305 in my old 1970 Chevy C-10. Once you remove the outdrive, its a few wires, couple of hoses & clamps, then just 4 bolts. A VERY IMPORTANT NOTE... front & rear mounts... every washer, spacer, nut, bolt and spring(lock washer looking thing) MUST go back exactly as removed or you will be burning out couplers frequently. The big spacer on the rear mount goes ON TOP, not under the bell housing mount which sits on top of a rubber washer with the lockwasher looking spring in the center which is on top of the transom mount. You don't have to touch the transom mount. Front mount should come out with engine. Put gears in forward for tear down & re-assembly, study the shifting mechanism and pull apart slowly so you can learn as you go. Keep a floor jack handy... them d*** things get heavy.
 

spdms02

Cadet
Joined
Jun 12, 2002
Messages
7
Re: Engine 165 Mercruiser: Need Help

Thanks Randy The removal of the engine seemed so simple, now that I have to remove the stern drive/outdrive does seem to complicate things. I am going to give it a try. What about cost. I have quotes of 3500 - 4000 thousand dollars for the rebuilt including the labor. Would a reasonable price for a rebuilt 165 be about 1000 -$1500 with me doing the labor?<br />Thanks
 

FIN-FEVER

Cadet
Joined
Jul 1, 2003
Messages
22
Re: Engine 165 Mercruiser: Need Help

I replaced my 165 hp myself .engine cost was $1650<br />pay close attention to config of spacers as noted in previous post.I installed the engine then drove up to my local marine store and had them check the alignment w/a tool then went home and put on the outdrive.took a few days for the swap out....
 
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