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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

531.0. "Can't separate Mercruiser lower end" by UNXA::GUSTAVSEN () Sat Oct 07 1989 09:58

    
    	I have a 1984 Mercruiser 120Hp. I have taken the drive off
    of the boat about a week ago with the intention of replacing the
    impeller in the lower unit. At this point I have removed the 5 nuts
    and the allen bolt that holds the trim fin. According to the
    service manual the two halves of the drive (upper & lower) should
    be able to be sepparated at this point. Guess what? It's as tight
    as a clams a$$. There isn't even a hairline separation between the
    two in the paint. The one suspicion that I have is some corrosion
    between the two pieces, especially where the trim tab is located.
    I was considering using some heat, but am not sure if this would
    be appropriate with the rubber internal O-rings.
    	Any advice would certainly be helpful at this point, and if
    I have missed a step in the process, please point it out to me.
    
    	Thanks,
    
    		Dan
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
531.1Tourque it as spec'dPACKER::GIBSONHave SCUBA, Will Travel, Dtn 225-5193Sat Oct 07 1989 19:3511
    Dan 
    Look up under the trim tab, there is a sixth bolt that hold the lower
    uint on your engine. Don't force it.
    
    The pump will come apart with three screws. Be sure to line up the "o"
    ring on the steel tube when you realign the unit. slide the lower unit
    up gradually as you tighten the nuts on eather side and the bolts fore
    and aft.
    
                      Walt
    
531.2Still can't separate.UNXA::GUSTAVSENSun Oct 08 1989 08:598
    
    Excellent catch Walt,... I did look under there earlier, and what
    I saw looked like part of the moulded casing, due to all of the
    decomposed zinc around it. So I scraped it all off, and removed
    the bolt. Now I have a very slight hairline sepparation around the
    seam. However it will go no further. I have tried tapping on the
    bolt heads a bit, but I am concerned about causing damage to the
    threads.
531.3Got it apart!UNXA::GUSTAVSENMon Oct 09 1989 09:0819
    
    
    	I did spend about another 3-4 hours prying and tapping, and
    finally I got it appart without any damage.
    	The manual sure didn't indicate the difficulties involved. Is
    there a special tool used by the dealerships to separate this part
    of the drive?
    	When I removed the impeller, I noticed that 2 of the blades
    did have cracks, and they had all developed a set. I had also noticed
    that the top of the impeller housing had melted a little from the
    rubber slinger. This was possibly due to the lack of water I guess
    at one time in the past. I will have to check if this needs to be
    replaced also.
    I guess it was worth the effort afterall....       
    
    	Thanks for the help Walt,
    
    		Dan
    
531.4WHile you have it apart....ULTRA::BURGESSPlywood product platform performance person (P5)Mon Oct 09 1989 10:3217
re                       <<< Note 531.3 by UNXA::GUSTAVSEN >>>
>                               -< Got it apart! >-

>    I guess it was worth the effort afterall....       

	The reassembly will require the real  "EFFORT";  getting the 
shift spine to line up can be a real pain, I think the manual 
recommends that you put it all in neutral, but mine goes back easier 
if its in forward gear.

	For the trouble you are going through I'd recommend that you 
replace the pump housing - I'd guess you  WILL NOT  want to do this 
again next year.

	Reg


531.5Snug it up to your own specsMILKWY::MBREAULTMon Oct 23 1989 11:1714
    
    YES  Do replace the pump housing and the water feed tube.  Also,
    tape , (electrical) over the drive shaft splines when you put the
    new "O" ring into the water pump assembly....Even though you can't
    see it...the splines can really do a nasty job on the "O" ring.
    
    Don't torque the lower unit to factory specs.  The housing alone
    costs about a grand and that's without the gears!  Snug it up...
    you have to use YOUR own judgement.  I agree with the forward gear
    scenario.  My manual said neutral but forward worked much better 
    for me.
    
    _mb
                                
531.6Merc I/O info requestKAHALA::SUTERNever too Hot!Wed Nov 03 1993 13:1418
	Moved by moderator
    	------------------
    
              <<< VICKI::SIE$DATA1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]BOATS.NOTE;1 >>>
                                -< Powerboats >-
================================================================================
Note 1124.0                   Merc I/O info request                   No replies
QETOO::BURKE                                          9 lines   3-NOV-1993 12:31
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I am looking for info on servicing the alpha I merc IO. Specificaly
    removing the drive for the 12 month service. Has anyone done this and
    should I try it or take it to the Merc people. I have all kinds of
    tools etc.
    
    				Thanks 
    
    				Kevin