Prop shaft connection

[Marty_B]

Hi Everyone,
I just acquired a sailboat with an Atomic 4 and I plan on taking the engine out to go over the engine and also to allow access to wiring in the engine compartment. The connection to the prop shaft/transmission interface is VERY difficult to get to. It appears that there are 3 bolts that hold them together. Can anyone tell me if the holes in the plate on the engine are threaded or if there are nuts on the back side of this plate? It appears that they are threaded and to separate the prop shaft from the transmission, you simply remove these 3 bolts. Is this true? Thanks in advance!

[sastanley]

Marty..Hello and welcome. They are threaded into the inner part of the coupling, and are fine thread. Don't hold me to this, it has been several years since I pulled mine apart, but I think they are 1/2" wrench size. The shiny new engine side coupler in these pics has the threads in it.
Pro tip..bend over all THREE lobes on the little retaining washer that goes on before the coupler retaining nut. Mine backed out with only one lobe folded over.

[Marty_B]

That is exactly the information that I needed. Thank you very much.