Merc powerhead removal

[CHEVYMAN434]

I am gonna take the powerhead off the 87' vp mod motor i have to see about getting the piston fixed...I had the local shop say they would take it off for me but i would like to mess with it some to get familliar with it...I see at the bottom of the block there is a 4" spacer it looks like.Looks to connect the midsection and the block.Do i seperate it at the 6 bolts at the top of the plate or the 4 at the bottom? And is that all you do and lift it off? Its not rigged on the boat and nothing is connected to it. I know it has a half melted piston but need to get it rebuilt or atleast find out if it can be rebuilt. And where do you guys send yall's? Somewhere honest and with a good rep would be helpfull.....lol

[outasite]

If your new to doing this, take some good pictures before you start. They will come in handy when get around to putting it back together two weks or a month from now.
You can also use a piece of tape on the wires that you take off and write on it.The power head comes off at
the upper parting line.Dont forget the shift linkage.And it is very nice to have a lifting ring

[Moonshot180]

Good info from outasite.

For a good rebuilder call Nichols outboard engineering @ 423 451 0125

Good luck!

[h2oskiier30]

Do i seperate it at the 6 bolts at the top of the plate or the 4 at the bottom?

All 10 of them have to be removed. The 4 "bottom" ones are just on longer studs.

You also have to disconnect the shift shaft.

[CHEVYMAN434]

Ok cool,i got ya..But not sure bout the shift shaft.It has no shifting cable on it,so it the connection your talkin about goin down in the midsection? The motor is just hanging on the jack plate.Its a new build and has never been rigged yet.I have all the parts to get it done,i just figure i will start with the powerhead first...I would like to buy a lifting ring.Does someone here sell tools and such??

[Moonshot180]

I think I got mine on ebay? 20 or 30 bucks?

That shift shaft..on the port side of the motor..down on the bottom where your shift linkage cable hooks up..that will have to be took loose, that shift shaft has a little ' arm that extends over and bolts to that shift cable linkage..

If you try to pull the P-head and don't disconnect that little ' arm ' it can bind up and snap. Then you will be hunting one a those too..

good luck.