Engine removal on a 322

[Capn Pete]

The bad news is that the Yanmar 2GM20F on my O'day 322 is in need of a rebuild. (It's cheaper than buying a new engine.) The folks at Mack Boring (the Yanmar specialists) tell me that extracting the engine is pretty much a DIY job, using care, patience and the right tools.

Now for the big question: Has anyone on this board done an engine removal job themselves? Any tips or advice born of experience?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Pete
s/v EmmieLou (O-322)
Little Silver, NJ

 

[j_schoenfeld]

I replaced a universal 5411 in my Oday 28. Motor was shot when I bought the boat. I documented a lot of it and you can see the pictures under my profile. The best advice I can give you is document the h*ll out of everything you do, take lots of pictures before you start tearing things apart. Can't tell you how many times I had to refer back to the pictures to see what went where. I was lazy and used the boat crane to move the engine in and out of the boat, while many old salts heckled me for not using the boom like a real man. hehehe. I really didn't care as the crane kept me from dumping the new motor off the dock and into the drink. I had a blast with this project, and it taught me a lot about my boat. She runs like a champ now, and I know where everything is. The two things that took the longest to do were getting the clamps off the throttle and shift cables (25 years of rust is a lot of fun) and aligning the prop shaft. Alignment is key, and I spent 2 full days checking gaps and moving motor mounts before I was sure it was spot on. No vibration and she spins true as can be.
Have fun! It will be full of aggravation and thrills!