Help removing outboard bracket

[Alex Kowblansky]

I am removing the factory mounted outboard bracket (H23 1990) and am having an extremely difficult time. Am using piano wire as suggested earlier in this forum. Unfortunately, have only gotten through about 1/5 of the surface where it attaches at the transom. Additionally, the wire gets extremely hot and smokes slightly. I have spent well over four hours and have still a long way to go.I have recieved today some "Island Girl Cleansing lotion" as suggested earlier in this forum. How much of it should I use. If I am unable to get through the entire bracket surface can I leave the cleaner in contact with the transom over night? Can it damage the gelcoat of the transom under the bracket?I assume the factory installed bracket was bolted and glued ( with 5200) presumably. Does this cleaner somehow soften the well cured glue?Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Alex

 

[Marcel]

This is supposed to work

I am not familiar with Island Girl, but there is a product now available that is used to debond polyurethane caulks like 5200. It is called Anti-bond 2015. It is in the West Marine catalog by caulks, and WM says it can be used for cured 5200. The link below is to the manufacturer, the item is on page 433 of the 2002 WM Master Catalog.

 

[Mark]

Heat Gun?

That may work!

 

[Steve Dion]

Leave the IG on.

Alex:This is a prime example of how difficult these products can be to remove. I suggest that you put some IG Pink in a spray bottle and spray around the bracket. The product should drip down and seep into the area that you are trying to loosen. Generally it works better in warmer weather. I don't know if this is also true for softening the caulking. Leaving it on is the idea. You may want to spray it and then come back a couple of hours later and spray again.If this stuff does not work, you may want to try the Anti-Bond. Are you having someone help you with the piano wire? You need to sort of saw through the caulking. If you have the wire very tight and work it back and forth it should cut through the material.Good luck, and keep us posted!

 

[Kenneth Pfaff]

What type of Bracket.

I use to have a 1993 H23 with the factory U shape fiberglass bracket, with a wood core. It developent hairline cracks which water got into and the entire bracket started being bent down by the weight of the engine. To remove mine, I first took out the 4 bolts, then using an old dull paint scraper, and a hammer an kept hitting the scraper bewteen the bracket and the engine. It was in the middle of the summer and 90 degrees, and took about 3 hours to get off. And I didn't evern damage the hull.