I purchased the Beta package from Steve Birch via Beta Marine. All
arrived well, and the packaging was easily handled by just me with a
hand truck. I have a small utility trailer that tilts so I can roll
it one and off for transport to the boat.
I am not an experienced mechanic, I change my own oil and spark
plugs and I fix things around the house when they breakdown but
thats it. I plan on doing the install myself and if I can do it
anyone else can.
The first weekend went well. I removed the old prop, and combi,
(without cutting the prop so all parts are re-usable) unhooked all
of the old electrical, exhaust, and fuel lines. Took the engine
loose from its bearers and moved it into the saloon for easy access
to the lifting eye by a crane. All went exactly per the
instructions. I worked alone except for a little help from a
neighboring boater for a step where the prop has to be turned from
the outside and aligned with a hole in the combi sleeve in the
inside. (15 seconds work, and the same neighbor loaned me a large
gear puller that made removing the volvo flywheel a cinch!)) I was
able to move the engine with a "come along" and a 4x4 post across
the companionway and no other help. (I'm a boney 180 lb 6' guy) I
found it useful to hook a rope around the two front bearers and
under the engine and with a come- along to take the weight, drag it
off its bearers and far enough into the cabin to reach the lifting
eye since the lifting eye was a good 8 " under my electrical panel.
This allowed me to to reach the lifting eye without crushing my
electrical panel.
So Far I've worked around 7 hours including some time for cleaning
up tools and packing my jeep for the return trip home.
I'll keep you posted on what happens next week.
arrived well, and the packaging was easily handled by just me with a
hand truck. I have a small utility trailer that tilts so I can roll
it one and off for transport to the boat.
I am not an experienced mechanic, I change my own oil and spark
plugs and I fix things around the house when they breakdown but
thats it. I plan on doing the install myself and if I can do it
anyone else can.
The first weekend went well. I removed the old prop, and combi,
(without cutting the prop so all parts are re-usable) unhooked all
of the old electrical, exhaust, and fuel lines. Took the engine
loose from its bearers and moved it into the saloon for easy access
to the lifting eye by a crane. All went exactly per the
instructions. I worked alone except for a little help from a
neighboring boater for a step where the prop has to be turned from
the outside and aligned with a hole in the combi sleeve in the
inside. (15 seconds work, and the same neighbor loaned me a large
gear puller that made removing the volvo flywheel a cinch!)) I was
able to move the engine with a "come along" and a 4x4 post across
the companionway and no other help. (I'm a boney 180 lb 6' guy) I
found it useful to hook a rope around the two front bearers and
under the engine and with a come- along to take the weight, drag it
off its bearers and far enough into the cabin to reach the lifting
eye since the lifting eye was a good 8 " under my electrical panel.
This allowed me to to reach the lifting eye without crushing my
electrical panel.
So Far I've worked around 7 hours including some time for cleaning
up tools and packing my jeep for the return trip home.
I'll keep you posted on what happens next week.