Is it possible to remove a Stern Drive Engine without removing the Alpha One Outdrive?
July 4th, 2009 | 
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It’s a Ford 302 Marine engine, I have the diagrams of the outdrive and the case for the shaft. I am wondering if I MUST remove the outdrive to get the engine out? The shaft that goes into the case does not appear to lock in other than the shaft meeting the case gears. I’ve removed the bolt on parts from the engine, and the hull is wide open as I removed the everything within the hull. If I unbolt the engine and hoist it, can I slide the shaft out of the engine and leave the outdrive in (it was just rebuilt and I would like to leave it in if possible). I can see it working out great if it’s possible as far as the case coming right off of the engine.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a book, and I am net suavy, but I prefer real info from good folks who know the paths to victory. 
Cheers!
Remove the gearcase before removing the engine, it takes less than five minutes. If you damage the yoke splines removing the engine, you are screwed. When re-installing the engine, you have no way to check alignment with the drive still attached. I do about 100 of these every year, and this is the easy way.
Forgot to mention, if you try hoisting the engine with the yoke shaft still in the coupler, you will ruin the gimbal bearing.
Posted in Engine Hoist
Remove the gearcase before removing the engine, it takes less than five minutes. If you damage the yoke splines removing the engine, you are screwed. When re-installing the engine, you have no way to check alignment with the drive still attached. I do about 100 of these every year, and this is the easy way.
Forgot to mention, if you try hoisting the engine with the yoke shaft still in the coupler, you will ruin the gimbal bearing.
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Yes you can remove the engine but putting it back and properly aligning it so you don’t have drive issues is another remove the out drive and make your life easy. the bell housing should come out with the engine in one piece its not like leaving the transmission in a car.
put the shift lever forward to line up the shift dog on the out drive slide the tilt pistons off the end of the out drive remove the bolts on the out drive case if memory serves there is six 3 on each side then slide it out 1 gasket and one o ring for reassembly
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Yep, the outdrive has to come off. Very difficult to snake out the engine with the drive shaft still in the engine.
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Inland waters guru who has removed the outdrive
We mechanics don’t often work with a stripped out boat. If i understand you correctly, there is no bulkhead or anything to prevent moving the engine 10-12 inches straight forward???? If so, you simply remove the lag screws that hold the engine to the stringers. Then lift just enough to take the weight off and pull the engine forward. The transom bracket will remain in place with the spline shaft sticking through. I’ve done this a few times, but like the other mechanics i usually pull the drive. I will say however that I had no trouble putting the engine back in just the same way It came out. About the only thing you have to be careful of is the intermediate shift cable, don’t smash it when your putting the drive in. Good Luck ! EDIT….. I forgot to answer your question, "can it be done" Answer Yes, I’ve done it about 15 times.
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