Outdrive Re-Installed Without Engine

[bbook83]

I pulled my 1974 140 hp engine to take care of some leaks and to repair the stripped out front engine mounts. I'm also in the process of a restoration and am taking the boat to a shop for fiberglass work and to get most everything replaced in the gimbal housing (all bellows, lower shift cable and gimbal bearing). I noticed gear oil in the u-joint tube, so I think I also need a seal in the upper end of the lower unit. So,I was going to reinstall the unit and trailer it to the shop without the engine, which will make it easier to repair the engine mount holes. Does it create any problems for the lower unit to be hanging on the transom without the engine?

 

[Fun Times]

Does it create any problems for the lower unit to be hanging on the transom without the engine?

Besides the added work both on you and the tech that's just going to remove the drive once they start working on it, No there wouldn't be a problem with the drive mounted to the bell housing/gimbal housing assembly with the engine removed. You may need 12 volt power to raise and lower the drive with the engine out though.

 

[thumpar]

I would just leave the drive off.

 

[bbook83]

You are both right in that I should just leave the drive off. I was just trying to keep it simple for the shop, as they are the fiberglass restoration people and will be bringing in someone for the outdrive work. I will deliver the outdrive off the boat. As to the question I raised, I thought maybe the engine had to be in place to counter the weight of the drive on the transom. That doesn't appear to be a problem.

Thanks for the help.