Fitz and the Twins

[gran398]

Guys, Fitz did a tremendous job on the 75 Mercs. He taught me a lot too, and I'm very appreciative.

THANKS Farley  

I thought I'd share what was accomplished. What really impressed me was the organization of parts, cleanliness of the work area, and processes. Nothing was ever "forced" or beat on.

Here are a few pics to start:

[fitz73222]

Thanks Scotty,

I don't have the rest of the pictures here...They're on my laptop at work;so post away if you would. What we had to do to these engines is a perfect example of why it is so important to do annual maintenance. These engines are 2004 vintage and the gearcases had never been off. These lived in South Florida salt and it showed. Our goal was to rebuild all 6 carbs, add the extension housings to make these 25" shafts for the new transom height, install complete water pump kits, grease,gearlube and fire them up before we went to Bobs. Weeks before Scotty came down my only apprehension was the potential for stuck gearcases. Well the apprehension became real. On some Mercury models they use studs and nuts to secure the gearcase to the midsections. Salt can accumulate between the stud clearance holes and studs. These were literally welded with salt impaction. Heating the area around the stud did nothing. Some people resort to prying and beating on the case to get them loose and wind up damaging the gear housing and midsection mating joint. So I partially reinstalled the nuts on the studs and with block of wood and a prybar tried to walk the gearcase off of the studs by pushing upward on the nut and pushing the gearcase down. That got me about 1/16 of an inch after about 3 hours. So I decided to pull the powerheads and get crankshaft out of the driveshaft spline so I could rock the lowerunit front to back, combined with heat and prying they eventually came off after about 6 hours on each unit. My goal was to not damage these engines for many reasons besides we needed to maintain a flat unbuggered surface to mate up the new 5" extension housings. While I was dealing with these stuck gearcases; we called around for powerhead gaskets to no avail and finally found them ay my friends down at Funtime Boats in Merritt Island. So Scotty drove the 150 mile round trip and brought back 2 gaskets. The pictures show what we dealt with when we started to work on the water pumps. I've never seen waterpumps this full of salt. Completely encrusted, finally got them apart with more heat and patience. Didn't break one bolt luckily.

[Blue Agave]

South Florida?  

Are the twins the offsring of Ms. Marco?

Once Encrusted, Now Loved.  

[fitz73222]

South Florida?  

Are the twins the offsring of Ms. Marco?

Once Encrusted, Now Loved.  

Yep,
That be them. So the engines went from Marco to NC and back to Brooksville. Miss Marco went from Marco to NC and back to Port Ritchey. Me And Scotty saw her in the back of a shop on the ground and being scuttled for parts. The bow deck was being put in a Proline.

[gran398]

Ah, the Virgin Miss Marco. Pure as the driven snow. Spent her life indoors.

Used only once.....to take his wife to church

[Aswaff400]

ive seen stuck gear cases more than a dozen times at the marina. them mercs love to put up a fight

[gran398]

Fellas, Farley began my apprenticeship showing the proper technique to remove old gaskets. My first job was "Gasket Scraper."

Then I moved up to Torch Man. Finally, I was a Torque Wrench Man.

He did a helluva job.

More pics in chronological order:

[gran398]

This is my first assignment



After 12 hours of heartache....both LU's off



Farley showing his appreciation

[fitz73222]

Show us more Uncle Scotty! This thread will be dead by Sunday night! Post the damn pictures...

[wingtime]

More Pics Scotty!  you on dial up or something?    Overall the motors look like they are in pretty good shape.

[seabob4]

Awesome job on the mating surfaces Scott!  You know Farley, in regards to Scott's boat, I'm glad I'm not you.  But, if you took a good "inside" look at the Glacier Bay that showed up today, well, I'm sure you'd say you're glad you're not me!!

[gran398]

Show us more Uncle Scotty! This thread will be dead by Sunday night! Post the damn pictures...

Oh Noooo....we're just gettin' rollin' brothers.

Gotta "Whole Lotta Love" left

[gran398]

PS...ya'll look at my younger brother showing the love in that last pic.....man...that's de chit right there

[gran398]

Carb rebuilds:





Port side LU, prepping for Bay Manufacturing 5" extension kit:

[gran398]

Hoods, midsection covers:



The heat is on...breaking corrosion on original water pump housing:



The reason for scheduled  LU maintenance: