Shaft coupling

[Sculldog1]

Hi all. I have inherited a running A4 if I can get it out of the boat. Trouble is that the p o has ground the heads off the 3 shaft coupling bolts and rounded the set screw beyond use. Question is are the bolts threaded into the coupler as well as the plate it mates to or is the coupler unthreaded which makes a big difference in how to attack this fiasco. Got to drill out the set screw for sure but the three bolts will be super difficult if not impossible to drill in the boat. I promised the guy I would only cut the shaft if all other options fail. Any help appreciated. Mike

[GregH]

Congrats on the new-to-you engine!

I'm sure others will chime in that have more bolt-removal experience. To me it looks like it is a shaft cutting exercise so you can at least get it out and attached the issue from better angles (and comfort)

[ndutton]

The shaft coupler is thru-drilled, no threads. The engine output coupler (where it attaches) has the threads. If the two mating couplers are "rust-welded" together, I fashioned a splitter out of a large C-clamp with a little extra steel and welding.

[Sculldog1]

Well I got the rust welded coupler apart.
For to help others: 1st I had to beat the scale off it with ball peen and cold chisel. Then used a stiff wire wheel on angle grinder till I could finally make out the line btwn two parts then pounded stiff knife into joint while turning shaft. Once it opened went to small screwdriver, cold chisel and couple of wedges till I finally popped it loose! Oh plenty of p b blaster as well. The tool you created looks like it would've saved a lot of time Dave. Thanks for the reply.

[tenders]

If you need it, somewhere around here I have a beautiful Moyer split coupler for a 3/4" shaft that is sadly not compatible with my vee-drive transmission.

I bought it secondhand but unused from somebody here, and only discovered its incompatibility after hanging onto it for years. I'm quite sure we could come to terms if it were of use to you.

[Sculldog1]

Thanks Tenders for the coupler offering. I have 7/8" shaft however so unable to take you up on the offer.