Sliding engine forward?

[GRaMI]

I'm looking for some advice, if anyone has a moment to spare.

My ski is a 2003 Superwet.

I've read on here that when removing the midshaft housing assembly that it's necessary to unbolt the engine and slide it forward to gain clearance. I have already removed the pump/driveshaft assembly.

I'm unsure of what bolts to remove. Is it those that attach the engine to the mounts (the single bolts going through the rubber isolators?)

or...

The one ones which attach the mounts to the hull?

Also, how/how far do you slide it? Obviously if I go to far the engine will drop down possibly damaging the hull. This could all be solved by supporting the engine from above with a cherry picker or hoist but I don't own one.

I plan on removing the midshaft bolts before dismounting the engine to help make sure I don't knock the engine around too much. But I'm also assuming I'll have to muscle the midshaft out of the position it's in within the hull, raising my concern for a mishap.

Now - one more thing. The whole reason I'm doing this is to address a grinding/whirring noise while riding. I noticed this last summer and am now getting to it. Since the pump/driveshaft assembly is already removed, I checked it by hand for any odd noises while being rotated. I found this to feel and sound great.

I then took the spark plugs out of the motor and spun the crank/midshaft by hand. This seemed tight and made very little to no noise.

I'm thinking one of the driveline bearings is still the cause though I can't recreate it when out of water due to the lack of thrust being put on everything. Any thoughts on this?

Thank you for your time. It is appreciated.

 

[Mike W]

You are not going to be able to tell much of anything until you move the motor forward and spin the midshaft by hand. In your case, just remove the single bolt securing the bedplates to the motor mount. No need in removing the entire motor mount.

 

[McDog]

You can lift the motor manually if needed. You don't need a cherry picker.

 

[GRaMI]

You can lift the motor manually if needed. You don't need a cherry picker.

Lift motor manually? Could you give me a description of what you're thinking?

 

[Yami-Rider]

The motor complete is 70lbs, you can lift it by hand.

Get a yamaha service manual, it will explain everything you need to know.

 

[Quinc]

Read through everythread in here. There is also a thread with step by step photos as well as where to download the SJ service manual.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?forums/tech-faq.26/

 

[GRaMI]

Read through everythread in here. There is also a thread with step by step photos as well as where to download the SJ service manual.
http://x-h2o.com/index.php?forums/tech-faq.26/

Thanks for the link. Do you know where that thread is? I've come up empty in my (what I consider thorough) searching attempts.

 

[Quinc]

There are only 2 pages of threads. Read through all of them.

 

[GRaMI]

Thanks to all. I will say that though the service manual is helpful, it does not explain many things, especially in the case of midshaft removal.

I was able to get the engine forward by doing these things:

1. Removing (4) single bolts that attach the motor mounting bracket (or bedplate I suppose) to the rubber isolator mounts.

During this process, the left rear (as referenced from standing on the ski) rubber part of the mount spun off from the hull side of the mount. So now the motor side bedplate and isolator are bolted together and I cannot spin the bolt separate from the rubber to detach it. Tried clamping it with some pliers but no luck. Anybody else ever experience this?
​

2. After removing the bolts (minus the stuck one), the shims were loose so I removed them and set them in a pattern related to the position of the mount they came from.

3. I then physically scooted the motor forward on the mounts after placing some scrap wood up by the gas tank under the front of the engine to protect the hull incase the motor flopped forward off the mounts.

4. Next the three bolts that attach the midshaft bearing assembly to the hull were removed by feel.

5. It took some serious wiggle work to pull the shaft out from its location. After about 10 minutes I got it. The engine may have been able to go forward more but since I didn't disconnect any hoses from anything, I didn't wanna risk damaging anything.

The midshaft/bearing had some slop between them so I'm confident this was the source of my noise.

Now - the shaft assembly is off to JetManiac for a rebuild.

As a note: earlier this week I rebuilt the pump assembly with new bearings, seals, cone o-ring and solas concord prop ("stock engine" prop from impros). So after this midshaft/motor mount quandry, I hope to be ready to hit the water. Well after the stock pole gets chopped and UMI steering install.

 

[augustaf]

Partial quote from above:
1. Removing (4) single bolts that attach the motor mounting bracket (or bedplate I suppose) to the rubber isolator mounts.
During this process, the left rear (as referenced from standing on the ski) rubber part of the mount spun off from the hull side of the mount. So now the motor side bedplate and isolator are bolted together and I cannot spin the bolt separate from the rubber to detach it. Tried clamping it with some pliers but no luck. Anybody else ever experience this?

Yes, that happens often. Grab the round upper metal part of the broken mount with pliers and unscrew- not difficult! When you reinstall the engine, use antiseize compound on the 4 long screws that hold the bed plates to the mounts- that way disassembly is possible the next time. (all other fasteners should have Loctite applied to threads in order to alleviate galvanic corrosion, besides locking)

 

[GRaMI]

Partial quote from above:
1. Removing (4) single bolts that attach the motor mounting bracket (or bedplate I suppose) to the rubber isolator mounts.
During this process, the left rear (as referenced from standing on the ski) rubber part of the mount spun off from the hull side of the mount. So now the motor side bedplate and isolator are bolted together and I cannot spin the bolt separate from the rubber to detach it. Tried clamping it with some pliers but no luck. Anybody else ever experience this?

Yes, that happens often. Grab the round upper metal part of the broken mount with pliers and unscrew- not difficult! When you reinstall the engine, use antiseize compound on the 4 long screws that hold the bed plates to the mounts- that way disassembly is possible the next time. (all other fasteners should have Loctite applied to threads in order to alleviate galvanic corrosion, besides locking)

Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get the part unscrewed. Having an extra set of hands around may have allowed me to get it but that's hard to get on short notice. I took it to the only local place that works on skis and they were able to get it after removing the exhaust to clear up some room.

At this point I've just got to reinstall the pump and midshaft and then line it all up. Hoping that goes smooth.