How to replace transom plate VP 8.1 Gi-H with DPS-A

derbydog

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Hello all. I have been lurking around this forum for a long time but this is my first post.

I have a 2007 VP 8.1 Gi-H paired to a DPS-A outdrive. On our last trip I noticed some severe vibration during sharp turns at all speeds. In fact the vibration occurred even when in neutral and turning the wheel and/or trimming the drive. When trying to back into a tight slip with the wheel hard right I heard a loud clattering sound and shut the engine down immediately. I smelled some oil and saw a light sheen on the water. Got towed home and put the boat up on the trailer. I can see the torn u-joint bellow and part of the u-joint assembly fell out of the drive when I trimmed it up. I also see that part of the collar on the transom plate where the bellow is seated broke off. I presume that when the u-joint let go it slapped around cracked the transom plate.

I tried uploading some photos but I get an error that I am not authorized to add attachments.

I have the service manual for my outdrive and am plenty mechanically inclined. I have read plenty about pulling and reinstalling the stern drive which seems pretty do-able for me. However it seems like I may need to pull the engine to have the access needed to R&R the transom plate. Anybody been through this before?

Thanks,
Darin
 

Bondo

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However it seems like I may need to pull the engine to have the access needed to R&R the transom plate. Anybody been through this before?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Yer absolutely right, the motor hangs on the other side of the transom assembly,...
Pull the drive, then the motor, then the transom assembly,...

Another couple of posts, 'n you'll be able to post pictures,...
 

derbydog

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Thanks Bondo! I get that the transom assembly sits between the engine and outdrive. Once I can post a couple of pics I think my question will be clearer. The only part of the transom plate I need to replace is that on the outside. I pulled the engine compartment floor and contorted myself into the back of the boat. I can see four large bolts with lock nuts in the engine compartment that I believe are securing the inner and outer transom plates. They are on the top and in the middle of the transom plate. If these are the only 4 bolts holding the transom plate together it would seem that I could remove the lower unit, remove those 4 locknuts, and then remove & replace the outer transom plate without pulling the engine.

Does that make sense? Are you familiar with the DPS-A outdrive and how many bolts hold the transom plate in place?

As a DIYer, pulling the engine might be more than I have the tools or patience for.
 

Lou C

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Now I have not seen a DPS-A transom assembly, but if its like the SX-DP models, there are studs that go from the outer transom plate, thru the the transom, and then the inner plate (which is holding up the rear of the engine, remember) slides over them Then the nuts that you see inside get tightened and pulls the inner and outer together with the boat's transom sandwiched in between. So, if you could reach all those nuts, and disconnect the steering arm and pull off the outer transom plate, what do you think will be supporting the rear of that very heavy engine?



I did some searching around and found schematics of the transom mount and inner transom plate. It's just like the SX and the OMC Cobra before it. The studs go in from the outside they are mounted in the outer mount and pass thru the transom into the inner plate. If you pull the outer plate with the studs then the weight of the engine will be unsupported. If you even could get it out, that is.

see how the studs go thru the transom, then thru the inner plate which holds up the engine? Now if one could rig up a way to support the rear of the heavy engine, this MIGHT work, but getting it all to line up during the re-install, might be tricky, unless you can lift the engine just a tiny bit here and there. Thoughts Bondo?
 
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Bondo

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Thoughts Bondo?

Ayuh,.... My thoughts are in my post above,....

I believe there's 8 studs/ bolts,... 'n it can't be done with the motor, nor drive in-place,...
 

derbydog

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Thanks guys. Your help is much appreciated. I am talking to my brother who is a mechanic and we are considering the engine removal but I can't seem to find the proper procedure. I have the workshop manual for my sterndrive and transom shield. It references the "Engine and Sterndrive Installation Manual" which I have not been able to find. Anybody have a link to the appropriate docs for my engine and drive? The sterndrive workshop manual is excellent, would be nice to have something of equal detail for the engine removal/install.
 

derbydog

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Thanks Bondo & Lou C. I bit the bullet and took it to my normal repair shop to get the work done but they are at least a month out on the repair, so I am going to order to manual and assess the difficulty.

Appreciate the help!
 

Lou C

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This is not a conceptually difficult job, but it requires a way of lifting a very heavy engine (600++lbs) high enough to get out of the boat. A regular engine hoist will not do it. So it requires knowledge, but also special equipment.
 
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