www.iFourWinns.com

Before I added my extended swim platform, I used an engine hoist to remove the outdrives but now that's not possible so I had to come up with something... Here's an idea for those of you who pull your outdrives yourselves:



This is one of those ATV/motorcycle lifts you can find easily. I added the aluminum parts and still have the dual lifting pad in case I need to convert it back. This is much cheaper than the installers you can buy ready-made. I spent $70 for the lift on sale and I had the aluminum left over from another project. I pop-riveted some rubber belting for the contact pads to keep it from moving without scratching. This is so much easier to work with than an engine lift!

_________________
USCG 50 Ton Master Inland/OUPV Endorsement+Towing

1998 278 Vista - Twin 4.3 GLs, Kohler 4KW Gen, AC/Heat.
1999 Yamaha Waverunner SUV
2003 Yamaha Waverunner SUV w/MR-1 HO conversion

Very nicely done! Where is that particular lift from?

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Looks nice.. Sears ATV lift? More info please.

_________________
Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

The brand name is Larin - the common brand you see at most parts stores. I got mine at our local Farm and Fleet store. Here's a link to more info on the exact one I got: http://www.larincorp.com/product_list.cfm?CategoryID=9

I looked on Sears' site and the two cheaper ones look pretty much the same but they are $120 and $140. I think you can find the Larin for anywhere from $70-$90. Oreilly's has it for $90 but you can try any store that sells floor jacks, creepers, and/or engine hoists.

_________________
USCG 50 Ton Master Inland/OUPV Endorsement+Towing

1998 278 Vista - Twin 4.3 GLs, Kohler 4KW Gen, AC/Heat.
1999 Yamaha Waverunner SUV
2003 Yamaha Waverunner SUV w/MR-1 HO conversion

A great idea and one sweet device!

_________________


Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

When you reinstall the outdrive, do you do an engine alignment? Does it need to be done?

_________________
Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

I like it! I built one out of left over 2x6s I had and just added height adjustable casters to get the height correct.
About the alignment, usually it doesn't change unless you have rot in the engine stringers or wear in the engine mounts. But it still is advised to check the alignment every time you R&R the drive. That way you can catch it before it ruins the engine coupler and that takes pulling the engine to fix.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

I've heard of them being badly out of alignment from the factory.

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Really no excuse for that at the prices they charge! I had mine done about 4 years ago by my OMC mechanic, when I checked it this season it was right on the money. You have to get the alignment tool, and slide it through the gimble and into the coupler. First you put grease on the end of the tool that goes inside the coupler splines. Then you look at the pattern that the grease has in it from the splines. It should be even all around. Also using the tool gets the gimble bearing (which swivels or 'gimbles') aligned with the coupler and that makes reinstalling the drive easier.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

How much is that alignment tool and where do you get one? I am thinking about pulling my drive myself this year.

_________________
Troy
2008 Centurion Avalanche
1994 Four Winns Horizon 180 SE 5.0L OMC Cobra (Sold)
2002 Ford F150 Harley Davidson Edition (http://www.nhtoc.com) 378 hp & 465 tq at rear wheels
2008 Honda Accord EX-L w/Nav

I've seen them a few times on ebay. I might try and use the same size dowel rod, same principal anyways. Just coat it with grease and slide it in, then pull it out and see if all the grease was hit evenly by the coupler. The ones on eBay are just metal rods...

_________________
2007 358 T-5.7GXi IB
Previous Boats
'08 H240, '08 V318, '04 268, '04 225

Sierra Marine makes an alignment tool that works with Merc, Volvo SX and OMC Cobras, do a search, a # of on line vendors sell it. I got it from a local marine dealer that sells Sierra parts, I think it was about $90 or so, more than the ebay stuff but probably better. You make that money back the first time you R+R the drive.

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

You have another choice if you know someone that has a lathe.

I have $20 in the 1.375" piece of steel I bought from the local metal supply shop and about an hour at the neighbors lathe making mine.

_________________
1987 Four Winns Liberator 211, formerly OMC 460 King Kobra powered, replaced in 2006 by a 1997 Mercruiser 454/Bravo III

I understand that the engine alignment is important but, if I just want to check the gaskets and put the drive back on, will it become misaligned?

_________________
Alexj



1995 Four Winns Horizon 190
OMC 5.0 RL

It shouldn't. Alignment refers to the engine's position on its mounts. In your scenario, the alignment shouldn't change (if it was already out, it'll still be out ).

_________________


Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic