Still on steering replacement

[Texasmark]

Since the hole on the deck is very close to the engines bracket, I don't see any other way to replace the cable than to unbolt the engine from the transom and suspend in on a hoist away from the boat (clumsy idea I think...having not done it) and remove the old and then after installing the new cable in the boat, feed it thru the engine's clamp bracket hole and gently mount the engine back on the transom. Sounds like fun on a 300 lb engine to try alone...no body around to help and a farm tractor boom pole (on the tractor) as the hoist....not like a roll around floor jack like you'd use pulling an auto engine....and the nearest rental center is over 50 miles away if I were to go and rent one.<br /><br />Merc says to mount (screw on) a lifting eye to the threaded end of the crank that sticks up thru the flywheel.<br /><br />Where does one get such a thing?<br /><br />Thanks for your help in advance,<br /><br />Mark

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Still on steering replacement

You might possibly be able to slide the motor over enough on the transom to remove the cable. Some have enough room for this technique, others don't.... Worth a shot...

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Still on steering replacement

Hey Rick,<br /><br />Now that is an idea worth pursuing. Never thought of it; and it will make it easy to get the thing back in place without kinking the new cable....just had visions of the engine hanging off an overhead winch and flopping around and here you are with a new cable, mounted to the engine clamp bracket, trying to get it routed thru the hole without kinking it.<br /><br />Transom is flat across to the corner. I can unbolt her, put the skeg on a floor jack and scoot her over.......walla whadda deal!<br /><br />Thanks loads.<br /><br />Mark

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Still on steering replacement

It will probably be a process to do, as you may need to loosen the steering arm from the motor first and pull it out as you work the engine over to the side. Some help from a friend would be nice...

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Still on steering replacement

Mark, I remove/install my Merc inline six (300lbs) using a lag bolt into the garage door header as an attachment point for a light block and tackle. I attach the block and tackle to a loop of steel plumbers strap which I bolt to the flywheel using two of the 5/16" bolts. I then lift the tongue of the trailer, block it up and lift the motor the rest of the way with the block and tackle. Once the motor is clear of the transom, pull the trailer forward a foot and install the steering cable.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Still on steering replacement

Well guys,<br /><br />Fabricated a lift hook.<br /><br />Sawed the old cable off and found that the kink was just as the cable entered the engine mounting bracket.<br /><br />Morse is sending me a warranty cable as they said the old cable was not ment to be bent; even slightly; Huh?<br /><br />So there is hope.....hope, like the red sunset; hope for a good day's fishing tomorrow.<br /><br />So Tuesday winds were forecast for 15-25 mph. The next day calm.<br /><br />I went fishing Tuesday. Wife said why as Wed would be calm......cause I wanted to fish Tuesday.<br /><br />Catch anything? No.<br /><br />Have fun? Yes, sorta.<br /><br />Do it again? Yes?<br /><br />Moral of story? Dunno!<br /><br />Mark