Mc1 lower prop seals

[1977 SILVERLINE]

I tried to remove the lower prop seals in my mc1 drive and am having no luck removing them. The problem is there is just no room to work with. I tried to drill a hole in the seal to allow me to use a screw to remove them but there is not enough room to drill. So I proceded to plan B, trying to remove the carrier that the seal is held in. I was able to remove the ring that holds the bearing carrier in place but I am unable to get the bearing carrier out of the lower housing. Any tips and tricks for removing the carrier. It looks to be aluminum and I am afraid if I use a gear puller I may break the carrier. If I could get the carrier out replacing the seals would be way easier. Thanks.

 

[Bt Doctur]

How old is the unit and how much corrosion is there. I made a puller for removing the carrier but the manual shows a gear type puller that grabs the outer
ring of the carrier. Most times that ring breaks.Also you needs LOTS of high heat to break it loose. oxy/acet type
http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6B3R3.PDF

 

[1977 SILVERLINE]

Its a mc1 drive pre alpha 1977. Do you have a picture of your homemade tool?

 

[Bt Doctur]

the rods are 1/2 inch bent and fitted to the inside casting of the carrier, the threaded rod has a dimple machined into the end to fit the depression in the prop shaft and was hardened. You insert the rods then pass them thru the collar and use bolts or pins to secure it.

 

[fishrdan]

This may not be the most eloquent way to pull the carrier, but... I used a slide hammer with the 4-hole axle puller attachment on the end, then threaded a couple loops of rope (3/8"?) through the carrier webs and axle attachment. I also wrapped 1/2 a roll of electrical tape around the prop shaft so once the carrier let go it didn't go flying off the shaft. The rope provides a bit of cushion so the carrier isn't taking the entire shock of the slide hammer..

A couple swift whacks with the slide hammer and it broke loose. I should mention my drive is an MC-1 from 73, that had been rebuilt about 15 years ago, so the carrier didn't have 40 years of corrosion on it...