Engine Removal

[sethbarker]

Aloha~

I have a 1987 Sea Ray 270 with twin Mercruiser 205's. Both engines need to be rebuilt. I don't have a trailer and can't afford the $50/day they charge for dry dock storage here on Oahu. Is it possible to pull the engine out with out taking the boat out of the water? Is there a risk of flooding the engine compartment?

 

[Larry]

I never saw anyone remove an engine with the drive still attached, but I can't think of any reason why you can't if you have the room to slide the motor forward once it is off the mounts to get the spline out of the coupler. I think it would be harder to put the motor back in with the drive attached. Can you haul the boat, pull the drives, pull the motors and then reinstall the drives and put the boat back in the water and then do the reverse when you are ready to put them back in? All that it costs you is the haul and maybe a set of gaskets.

 

[fc3]

I pulled an engine from a sterndrive boat. It's not possible without removing the drive. Once the drive is removed, a 4" hole below the waterline is opened. Don't see how this is going to work.

 

[K-9]

:smt021no! get a trailer and haul it out.:smt013

 

[Larry]

I pulled an engine from a sterndrive boat. It's not possible without removing the drive. Once the drive is removed, a 4" hole below the waterline is opened. Don't see how this is going to work.

Frank,

I know I never pulled a motor without pulling the drive, but I can't think of a reason that you can't get the motor out if you can slide it forward atleast the 4"-6" inches to clear the spline.... I think getting it back in with the drive on will be very difficult to imposable.

When you unbolt the mounts you will have to take the mount off the engine side so you do not lift the motor over the mounts and pull it straight ahead.

 

[papertrail]

Its just not possible. :smt021

 

[gerryb]

Not possible and possibly dangerous as you may have to position the hoist on the boat deck... with the boat moving in the water... Bad idea all around.

 

[gnealon]

Not possible and possibly dangerous as you may have to position the hoist on the boat deck... with the boat moving in the water... Bad idea all around.

I am far from an expert in this, but how would you even check engine alignment w/ the drives still on?

 

[EKM]

You typically don't have the clearance to clear the OD shaft. I friend tried two years ago with a 92 300 DA and failed due to clearance issues with the shaft. I don't know if you have rack storage places, but I pulled one engine using their fork lift. Another time I pulled with an tow truck boom. My third pull was with a bucket loader and chain fall.

Lots of inexpensive options once it is out of the water. Are you putting in rebuilt engines or replacement engines or are you rebuilding the ones you have?

Good luck