Shipyard Isl. Marine Engine Parts - Inboard Engine removal

Hello,

I am removing my Mercruiser (Chevy 350) from my boat to rebuild. I have a Seloc Mercruiser service manual and it tells me that the stern drive MUST be removed prior to pulling the engine. Can anybody tell me why this is necessary? I was planning on just unbolting the bell housing from the transmission and cranking the engine out. I have done this plenty of times on cars (I am new to boats..cant ya tell). I know it is not right to "disregard" a service manual, but can someone tell me if the stern drive absolutely has to come off first.....I appreciate all of the help! Thanks

Jim

Guinness,

Why make it difficult? Pulling the drive off is the easiest part of the hole job. The input shaft for the drive goes into the engine coupler and*I cant imagine why you would not want to pull it off.

With the drive off you can inspect the gimbal bearing, bellows ect. Also when the engine gets back installed you will need to verify proper alignment and you can not do that with the drive on the boat.

Not bragging at all.......*but I have R&R to many engines*to count and believe me.......pull the drive off.

Good Luck!

Andy

Thanks for the reply! I just saw in the book that pulling the drive off and putting it back on required special alignment tools, and since I dont have that tool, I figured I could just deal with the splines on the engine side. But, I think you are right and I will pull the drive. Thanks for the input!

Jim