motor mount removal

[Tim Paxton]

Trying to remove the motor mount without removing the drive so I can reinstall a freeze plug. I have the ability to hold the engine from the top to not have to realign is this even possible or am i just wasting my time

It is a 4.3 mercruiser 1987 model
I already know I should have winterized it better, I have replaced a cracked exhaust manifold due to the crack and upon installation and running the motor noticed the water coming from the side and discovered a freeze plug had come out.
There is absolutely no room between the engine and the motor mount.

any real experienced person with actual knowledge of this situation would be much appreciated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard

first, you have to pull the drive..... because you are touching the motor mount, so you have to align the motor.... so you have to pull the drive anyway. no way around that. you are wasting your time thinking you can not re-align. the only motor you could do what you are talking about and not-re-align is an OMC stringer setup

second. if the exhaust manifold was cracked, assume the same lack of winterization broke the block (and probably the heads and the intake). core plugs are not to save a block from freezing, they are to get the core sand out at the factory when they cast the block. if a core plug comes out of a GM motor, 99.9% of the time there is also a crack (Ford motors have a 20% chance of surviving)

plan on replacing the whole motor. you may get lucky, however odds are you have a cracked block

 

[Rick Stephens]

Only reason I can think of not to remove the drive is the boat is in the water. Pulling the drive is a 10 minute job. I can't think of a single reason not to get the drive out of the way first thing.

 

[kenny nunez]

Take the core plug to a auto store and get a rubber replacement that you tighten with a wrench and with some luck might be able to install it with out removing the motor mount. I agree with Scott that you probably have more damage. With the rubber plug installed you will not loose too much time to find any more problems and IF you are REALLY lucky that might be all you need. Good luck