New Owner problem

Pete, I have to say that the coupling removal is way harder than putting it back on!

One thing I did figure out is that you can just use one set of long bolts. Simply add another nut between the head of the bolt and the coupling flange. This nut is what you'll crank down on rather than the head of the bolt. This gives the bolts "variable length" as the distance decreases between the couplings.

Well I got the coupling off but it wasn't easy and took me most of the day. My back and hands are killing me. I hope it goes on easier. I also removed my strut which wasn't as easy as I thought. The bolts came out easy but it was sealed with white sealer 3M5200 I think. I couldn't figure out how to get it off. I carefully applied a little heat with a torch and it came right off. It looks pretty good under the strut no cracks. It is definetily bent pretty bad as you can see from the pictures. The shaft seems OK but I'm having it checked by the same place that is going to straigten the strut. I think I would be better off having it done than trying it myself. I'm concerned that there isn't much room between the transmission and log. Only 8 inches. I actually had to cut the hose off the stuffing box to get the shaft out. You can look at the before and after pictures. I hope I can get it back together. Let me know what you think. This is kinda like telling someone who isn't a pilot how to land a 747 from the control tower.

The strut is more bent than I thought


I thought it was just twisted but it is bent pretty bad too






There isn't much room between the transmission flange and the log only 8 Inches. If you go back to the previous pic you can see what it looked like all together.

Well It took a while but I got it back together and put her in the water on Saturday June 21st. The allignment went OK after I removed the rear motor mounts because the up and down adjustment was frozen. When I put them back in the engine crushed my finger(real bad). But other than that the allignment went well, and actually was fairly easy.

Here is a photo of the strut before I had it straightened


Here is a photo after it was straightened


The boat ran great and everything seems OK. Other problems I ran into were the Jabsco raw water pump leaked and I replaced the body and gaskets. I got the parts from Depco Pump Co. I also had to replace a couple of hoses. I learned a lot about my boat and enjoyed working on it. Thanks to everyone who helped with their words of wisdom. Especially Pete Brainard. Hopefully it will run trouble free for a while. My recommendation is be very careful when buying a boat there are some real jerks out there selling their boats. Here's a photo of the boat today Sunday June 23 in the water.

Skip, I'm always happy to see projects turn out in the end and That's for the compliment. I'm glad I've helped. Happy boating. Great looking Tique.

wow it sure is nice to read a whole thread without anyone treating someone like an idiot , or being condescending. it was a well written and very informative thread thank you Pete you are a good man to have on here .