How to Pull a 4.3 Boat Motor Out

Many boat manufacturers put 4.3L and other boat engines in tight quarters, to optimize the look and size of the boat’s interior space. That’s fine until a needed repair to the engine becomes impossible, due to lack of access to the broken part with the necessary tools. The only solution is to remove the engine. Though removing a 4.3L engine is a cumbersome project, it’s fairly straightforward and doesn’t require any special tools.

Things You'll Need

  • Open end wrenches
  • Socket wrench set
  • Flat screwdriver
  • Chain
  • Overhead hoist
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the engine hatch cover, along with any seats or other interior items, to allow as much as possible access to the motor inside the boat.

    • 2

      Disconnect the electrical system from the boat’s motor. This is done by removing the negative cable from the starting battery where it attaches to the engine block, using an appropriately sized socket and wrench.

    • 3

      Unplug the wiring harness where the boat’s wiring connects to the motor’s wiring. Look the motor over to see if any aftermarket wires are attached. If present, disconnect them.

    • 4

      Move the fuel tank shutoff to the closed position, then disconnect the fuel line where it connects to the fuel system’s water separator. This is done by loosening the hose clamp with a flat screwdriver and pulling the fuel line free.

    • 5

      Loosen the hose clamps that bind the rubber exhaust manifold boots. Also loosen the hose clamps on the water hoses leading from the water pump and engine block to the transom of the boat. Once these are loose, disengage each of the rubber hoses from the nipples to which they were secured.

    • 6

      Remove the throttle/shift assembly from where it attaches to the engine block and the linkage between this assembly and the carburetor or throttle body.

    • 7

      Position the boat’s shift lever into forward gear, then remove its outdrive from the stern of the boat. This is done by disconnecting the power tilt rams, removing the six nuts that hold the outdrive in place, then pulling the outdrive straight back until the driveshaft pulls free from the coupler at the back of the motor.

    • 8

      Remove the engine mounting nuts with the appropriate-sized open end wrench. You will find one mounting bolt/nut on each side of the engine block and two more mounting bolts/nuts that fasten the rear of the motor to the inside of the transom.

    • 9

      Position a chain hoist over the engine, and hook the chain to the motor lifting bracket at the top of the engine block. Raise the engine slowly from the mounting bolts. Once the engine is off the motor mounts, you may have to move the boat slightly to the rear -- to allow the engine to clear the back deck of the boat. Keep an eye out for any wires you missed earlier and to ensure the hoses, wires or throttle/shift mechanism do not snag on the motor as it is hoisted out of the boat.