I've got it out... what else?

[pgorske]

'96 Mercruiser 3.0LX Alpha 1 Gen 2.<br />Well, have 3 issues. Water leak, front cover leak (rust hole), and engine knock. Leak is shift cable bellow. Not sure what knock is yet.. will investigate.<br /><br />Question: What should I replace while outdrive, bell housing, and engine are out? Doing the full bellow kit with gimbal bearing(there was water in the drive shaft bellow). I see a lot of posts about shift cables. Do they commonly fail? What about oil pump and water pump. I do not plan to do bearings (I think knock is wrist pin plan to only replace bad parts). This boat has seen it's share of salt water.<br /><br />Side question: Can I pull piston out of the bottom is determine pin is bad, or must head come off?<br /><br />I want to be as cheap as possible but not completely stupid <br /><br />thanks

 

[rbezdon]

Re: I've got it out... what else?

I dont think you can get the piston out through the bottom for lack of space. The other problem will be the cylinder wear from the rings. Sounds like the motor has qite a few hours and the ring ridge will likely lock the piston in. Think it very wise to pull of the head and get the piston out the conventional way.<br /><br />Also, think while you have it apart, you should reconsider the bearings. A crank kit is not very expensive investment to garantee its not the lower half knocking. It would be shame to get it all back together to heard that dreaded knock knock again.