Just picked up a 78 carrera with 454 that has rod knock. I've never pulled an engine in a boat with the trs drive. It has the merc trans and not the b/w. Can I just in bolt the transmission from engine and slide it out that way? Also it has power steering is there enough slack in the hoses to slide engine out a bit so that I can actually get too it to pull it off engine?
On my big blocks with the b/w trans I always pull the trans with the engine. It's easier. I'm not sure on the merc trans, but I'll send out a couple emails and do some digging.
Car engines bolt right in. Boat engines need to be aligned with drive . On a TRS the alignment is made to the bellhousing on Transom assembly. A special tool tool with a donut looking piece is needed to check or set. It is easier to pull engine with trannie, Merc trannie is a similar procedure as BW just no rear mounts. Pull drive, loosen output bearing retainer disconnect engine and pull as an assembly. Hopefully you have engine plate mounts. If you have adjustable mounts do NOT change adjustment. Power steering has to hoses attaching to steering on transom. Simply disconnect those two hoses with a line wrench.
I don't have time to explain all the reasons why not to leave trannie in. It may come out easy enough but you will torment yourself trying to install and there is no way to check alignment with drive on. A mis aligned engine will eat parts, trannie included.
Is this special tool expensive? Even if I pull as one unit I'll have to split them to rebuild the 454, and then have to align it? witch I assume is easier outside the boat?
Here is a diagram of the tool. On merc stuff they are around $160. It comes with the shaft end you need for the merc tranny.
http://www.mercstuff.com/alignmenttool.htm (scroll down a little)
Jim may know of a different/cheaper/better source.
I used to be sure I didn't have the b/w trans now looking at pics of the merc trans. I'm not so much. Could i tell by simply measuring from back of the block to transome? Isn't the b/w longer? Any one have measurements for either?
The two are quite a bit different. The Velvet Drive should have a brass label on it and two rear mounts. The TR will not.
Velvet Drive
Attachment 81420
TR
Attachment 81421
Could you tell which you have?