Author Topic: Trying to remover Mercruiser Alpha One Gen 1 (Read 10571 times)

buckz6319 · « **on:** June 18, 2014, 08:31:15 PM »

Well, it's me again...

I am trying to remove the old Mercruiser Alpha one Gen One entire leg from the donor boat.

" She Is Stuck" lol... I can only get it pulled out about 1/2" and that's it.

I have the unit in forward gear, 6 bolts removed, rams removed and out of the way.I have used the drop method on a 4x4, and she ain't wanting to let go.

I feel like maybe the gimbal bearing and shaft are as one, or the shaft and coupler are as one? rusted together, not sure what is going on.

I would appreciate any advice, tricks, ect to get it removed.

thanks! for your help

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #1 on:** June 18, 2014, 08:36:36 PM »

If the sound of the gimbal bearing was any indication that it could be bad then this may confirm it. If the bearing rusts up enough it can "weld" itself to the driveshaft. Try some penetrating oil or PB Blaster on the shaft from inside the boat, but the trick is getting it past the grease seal and getting it to the bearing.

buckz6319 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 18, 2014, 08:39:14 PM »

Quote from: Rich_V174SS on June 18, 2014, 08:36:36 PM

If the sound of the gimbal bearing was any indication that it could be bad then this may confirm it. If the bearing rusts up enough it can "weld" itself to the driveshaft. Try some penetrating oil on the shaft from inside the boat, but the trick is getting it past the grease seal and getting it to the gearing.

thanks Rich!
I will try some PB Blaster from the inside, and somehow try to get it past the grease seal...I have to figure that one out

CVX Fever · « **Reply #3 on:** June 18, 2014, 10:00:10 PM »

Make sure it is shifted into forward gear otherwise your fighting the shift linkage. That was my problem the first time I took one apart.

buckz6319 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2014, 05:14:49 AM »

Quote from: CVX Fever on June 18, 2014, 10:00:10 PM

Make sure it is shifted into forward gear otherwise your fighting the shift linkage. That was my problem the first time I took one apart.

thanks!
it is in forward gear, but it is 30 years old lol..

buckz6319 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 19, 2014, 05:22:29 AM »

I went out last night after dark with a light. I cut the bellows( it was soft) and thick goo came poring out.I know that is not good, BTDT one.

Well I sprayed PB Blaster all over that gimbal bearing and shaft from the outside, then got inside the boat, and sprayed some on the inside, not sure if it is going to do any good, but it is worth a shot.

buckz6319 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 19, 2014, 02:24:55 PM »

Going to try again to remove the outdrive this evening, hope PB Blaster worked

75starflight · « **Reply #7 on:** June 19, 2014, 02:50:43 PM »

Quote from: buckz6319 on June 19, 2014, 02:24:55 PM

Going to try again to remove the outdrive this evening, hope PB Blaster worked

Me Too!

buckz6319 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 19, 2014, 07:26:36 PM »

Well, this is as far as I can get the outdrive out, at this point, got to try something else... any thoughts?

looks like someone has already tried to remove the outdrive, and couldn't, so they sealed around the mating surface, and around the studs with silicone.
here are some pics

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2014, 08:43:43 PM »

Seeing as you've got no bellows you can try heating up the gimbal bearing with a torch. Get it good and hot and it may release from the shaft. Also, why does the upper bearing in the drive look all mangled?

buckz6319 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 19, 2014, 08:49:10 PM »

Quote from: Rich_V174SS on June 19, 2014, 08:43:43 PM

Seeing as you've got no bellows you can try heating up the gimbal bearing with a torch. Get it good and hot and it may release from the shaft. Also, why does the upper bearing in the drive look all mangled?

Rich, I don't own a real torch, just a plumbers torch, and not sure if that will help.

The upper bearing? well that is a bad bearing, all metal inside the in the grease, nasty

Jason · « **Reply #11 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:06:34 PM »

Seems like it would be possible to unbolt the motor and slide it forward off the drive shaft. Then you can get behind it and smack the shaft with a hammer. If you get lucky the bearing will come out with it.

Rich_V174SS · « **Reply #12 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:25:10 PM »

That was obviously a boat that hadn't been maintained very well. Gear oil in the bellows, rusted up bearing, blown vertical shaft bearing, ... what else am I missing?

75starflight · « **Reply #13 on:** June 19, 2014, 09:49:04 PM »

Take your plumbers torch and heat the bearing, it has to be replaced when I get it any way.

OleRed · « **Reply #14 on:** June 19, 2014, 10:32:14 PM »

I'd go for placing an axe handle or something really tough, between the guides and the drive and droping the drive against it... several times, hard, works for me, with the drive strait forwrd, even if the ginbal bearing is froze against the shaft, it will pull out the gimbal bearing race.

buckz6319 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2014, 05:27:14 AM »

thanks all for the advice! I will try all of your suggestions, and see which one works

thanks folks!!

buckz6319 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2014, 07:48:00 PM »

Quote from: OleRed on June 19, 2014, 10:32:14 PM

I'd go for placing an axe handle or something really tough, between the guides and the drive and droping the drive against it... several times, hard, works for me, with the drive strait forwrd, even if the ginbal bearing is froze against the shaft, it will pull out the gimbal bearing race.

Well, I didn't try your method of removal, because I got the gimbal bearing race off, and the inner race and bearings do move around the shaft.

I think at this point the gimbal bearing is not welded to the shaft, maybe now I have a problem with the drive coupler

thanks for your advice...and it still maybe an option, however I am selling some parts to Brandon, and don't want to damage any of the gimbal housing assembly

buckz6319 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2014, 07:50:28 PM »

Quote from: Rich_V174SS on June 19, 2014, 09:25:10 PM

That was obviously a boat that hadn't been maintained very well. Gear oil in the bellows, rusted up bearing, blown vertical shaft bearing, ... what else am I missing?

I don't think you are missing anything lol...I just hope the engine is as good, as I think it is...
thanks Rich

buckz6319 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 20, 2014, 07:54:39 PM »

Quote from: Jason on June 19, 2014, 09:06:34 PM

Seems like it would be possible to unbolt the motor and slide it forward off the drive shaft. Then you can get behind it and smack the shaft with a hammer. If you get lucky the bearing will come out with it.

Jason, I am thinking now my problem is the drive coupler...if it is? and I am on the right track, then I will hoist the engine up some, and maybe try to tap the coupler and shaft? not sure what I'm going to do
thanks

Plugcheck · « **Reply #19 on:** June 20, 2014, 09:39:11 PM »

Just my $0.02 but I would check the engine alignment. Given a hoist or strong tree lift the engine slightly, it might be frozen in the coupler. The 2nd possibility, and the stronger one for me, I have always noticed the drives must come off squarely and go on the same. They can and do get themselves wedged on the 6 studs. I know it is tempting to insert a pry bay but do not as the mating surface can be nicked and damaged. The last time I was in this predicament, I used a porta power with soft jaws, but I think some wood and wedges could help. I have not done so in the past, but since the top is opened, can you remove the driveshaft nut and pull the drive, leaving the u joints in place to pull with a slide hammer later?