Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 04-10-2019, 07:25   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Blaine, Minnesota
Boat: Columbia 43
Posts: 124
Engine trunnion mount to allow lifting rear of engine

I have pulled my 4JH2-TE from my Columbia 43 and have it in my home garage for a rebuild. I have a Walter V-drive and a Velvet Drive transmission. I am sending the V-drive in for a rebuild, and am replacing the Velvet Drive with a ZF 45 (much lighter, and a perfect replacement fit). When I pulled the engine, it was impossible to remove the V-drive and tranny without first lifting the engine. There is a large frame a few inches forward of the V-Drive making it impossible to pull the V-drive or tranny unless you lift the engine first. Obviously, reinstallation will present the same problem.

I saw a Youtube video of a transmission replacement in a ski boat. The engine had a trunnion mount that allowed the engine to be rotated up so that the transmission was accessible without lifting the entire engine. I want to put in something similar in my boat. Explaining this is a bit tricky because I have a V-drive. When I use the terms "forward end" and "aft end" I am referring to the boat-wise orientation. So the forward end of the engine is where the transmission sticks out. When I use "front of the engine" and "back of the engine" I am referring to the engine-wise orientation. The transmission attaches to the back of the engine, which is at the forward end.

OK -- so what I want is a swivel arrangement for the engine foot/mount at the front of the engine (aft end). The idea is that with the engine installed, I can lift the back of the engine (forward end) up simply by unbolting the prop shaft coupling, removing the nuts on the two engine mounts at the back of the engine (forward end), then lifting. The swivel foot/mount arrangement on the two mounts at the front (aft end) of the engine will allow the engine to rotate in the vertical plane without removing the mounting nuts. I can then remove the V-drive or transmission -- or get at the stern tube, packing gland, etc. very easily. Of course I must first detach the gearshift linkage and throttle linkage cables (and make sure my fuel lines have enough slack).

If you have ever worked on a V-drive sailboat, you will know how difficult it is to reach the packing gland: it's right under the engine, and almost impossible to work on. This trunnion arrangement would solve that problem.

Attached is a screen shot from the Youtube video showing the trunnion (ignore the pink circle). Anyone know where I can get these?
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	Engine mount trunnion.jpg
Views:	217
Size:	116.7 KB
ID:	200936  
__________________
Leigh Webber
https://serendipitysailboat.blogspot.com
LeighWebber is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-10-2019, 13:35   #2
Registered User

Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,613
Re: Engine trunnion mount to allow lifting rear of engine

Inboard gasoline engine manufacturers have been using these type trunnion mounts since the dawn of time....companies like Mercruiser, Volvo, Crusader, Marine Power, etc.

Try going to "skidim.com" where you can get the trunnion itself. Finding the engine side bracket for your 4JH could be more of a challenge, but maybe they have something which you can adapt.

Good Luck,
DougR
DougR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2019, 01:27   #3
Moderator

Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 3,251
Re: Engine trunnion mount to allow lifting rear of engine

It sounds like a great idea, servicing the vee drive and stern gland would be a breeze. Do you have a lot of overhead clearance to hoist into? As DougR said . The trunnion mounts are available and they came as standard on some 4/236 and 6/354 Perkins engines. You might have to invent something that inhibits the transverse movement of the whole shebang or expect to do a re alignment after each lift cycle but apart from that I think it's a winner.
skipperpete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2019, 08:39   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Oriental, NC
Boat: None
Posts: 355
Re: Engine trunnion mount to allow lifting rear of engine

You might want to rethink converting to the ZF 45C. The Velvet Drive 1:1 is much more robust gear and can be completely rebuilt at a very low cost. It is rare to see one that needs more than seals and clutch discs.
FPNC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2019, 11:03   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Blaine, Minnesota
Boat: Columbia 43
Posts: 124
Re: Engine trunnion mount to allow lifting rear of engine

I'll look into rebuilding the Velvet Drive myself. This thing is very heavy, and the shipping cost to and from a rebuilder plus the rebuild charge might exceed the cost of the ZF.
__________________
Leigh Webber
https://serendipitysailboat.blogspot.com
LeighWebber is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
engine, lift

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
For Sale: Large 9" Heavy Duty Merriman Snap Shackle Snatch Trunnion Block #3, 5/8" line cats..paw General Classifieds (no boats) 2 06-10-2019 15:20
Lifting Keel vs Not Lifting!!! jamescorfu Monohull Sailboats 9 30-08-2017 15:15
Yanmar SD50 Forward Seal Service Interval and Engine Rear Seal? cdiversions Propellers & Drive Systems 4 24-12-2016 19:10
Rear engine mount breaks bolts geedee Engines and Propulsion Systems 13 17-05-2015 18:43
Need Rear Engine Mount for Volvo Penta 2002. outdoorsman37 Engines and Propulsion Systems 1 08-02-2015 19:32

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:56.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.