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  #1   IP: 73.83.157.183
Old 06-11-2019, 10:08 PM
infy infy is offline
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What are the exact steps for removing an A4 out of a Catalina 30?

I was just out there today trying to lift the engine up.

I've removed the 3 bolts on the propshaft coupler and it should be released from the transmission...

I took the top bolts off all 4 engine mounts... the engine is free to lift up and I can budge it up by hand.

The engine mounts themselves are still bolted down since I think propshaft alignment with the replacement A4 will be easier if I drop the engine on to the old mounts already aligned.

But when I begin to lift the engine, it's pulling the propshaft up with it. The propshaft and engine just won't break free... I don't want to put too much pressure on the propshaft and bend it or harm the bearings..

Am I missing a step here? Does the engine need to slide forward first to clear something on the propshaft?

Any advice is welcome
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  #2   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 06-11-2019, 10:17 PM
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ndutton ndutton is offline
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The shaft and coupling must be slid aft to clear the output coupler nut. Make sure you don't have a zinc on the shaft close to the strut that prevents enough aft movement.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
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  #3   IP: 107.77.97.27
Old 06-11-2019, 10:36 PM
infy infy is offline
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Thank you! That must be what I'm missing.

How do you slide the shaft aft while in the slip? I don't want to scar or damage anything.
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  #4   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 06-11-2019, 10:43 PM
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Push it aft with a little twisting motion. Don't forget to check the zinc (you'll have to go for a swim). If the coupling is rusted solid to the engine's output coupler it will have to be parted. NO HAMMERING!!!
http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...25&postcount=1
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others

Last edited by ndutton; 06-11-2019 at 10:46 PM.
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  #5   IP: 107.77.97.27
Old 06-11-2019, 10:52 PM
infy infy is offline
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Ehhhhh.... the PNW is a bit cold for that. I'll try pushing it aft and see if I can make any space.

I'm thinking it may also be possible to free the engine mount screws and slide the engine forward too?

Other option would be to hire a diver.. or a tow to a sling and get on the hard.
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  #6   IP: 107.77.97.27
Old 06-11-2019, 11:05 PM
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Here's a photo of the coupler before I took the bolts off.
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  #7   IP: 24.152.132.140
Old 06-11-2019, 11:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by infy View Post
I'm thinking it may also be possible to free the engine mount screws and slide the engine forward too?
You'll lose the current alignment you said you were trying to preserve.
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1977 Catalina 30
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prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
Had my hands in a few others
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  #8   IP: 137.200.32.22
Old 06-12-2019, 06:55 AM
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Unless the shaft is trapped by a zinc, it should come right off. I just pulled on mine.
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  #9   IP: 107.77.97.115
Old 06-12-2019, 04:46 PM
infy infy is offline
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Wow this thing won't budge a millimeter. It will turn and rotate the transmission with it... but just won't give any at all.

Any ideas? Even if it was a zinc it would move at least a little, right?

One side of it already looks like someone took a screwdriver and a hammer to it before.
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  #10   IP: 107.77.97.115
Old 06-12-2019, 11:32 PM
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As Borat would say... great success. All you need is some pb blaster, a shank, and big hammer.
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  #11   IP: 72.69.36.126
Old 06-13-2019, 08:44 AM
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Maybe the moral of the story here is that you should disconnect the shaft first? I bet that would have come off without a second thought had you goosed the engine in reverse with the bolts out, perhaps with a zinc attached close to the packing gland so the prop didn't have much fore-and-aft play if it broke loose.
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Old 06-13-2019, 10:57 AM
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Congratulations. I had the same problem with my coupling, although mine looked like a decomposing relic from an archaeological dig, not nice and clean like yours. I also resorted to violence, cussing, and a little bit of blood to get mine decoupled.
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  #13   IP: 107.77.97.99
Old 06-13-2019, 07:07 PM
infy infy is offline
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I'm very surprised by how much the propshaft could move off axis while it remained attached to the engine.

I'm hoping this isn't a sign of a nightmare when I finally have it on a sling to wash and paint.... also hoping I didn't bend it or anything before realizing what was going on...

Going to try and finish the new engine install this weekend.

Worst of it will probably be getting the engine on the dock while in a slip and hanging from the halyard.
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