Help..1972 Pearson 33 refit

[glcalahan]

I am looking for advice on removing the old prop shaft to replace with new. This P33 shaft is center line of the rudder and moving to port or stbd does not offset to remove shaft. This is a skeg mounted rudder with rudder shaft thru top to bottom so a cut out won't work. The bronze gudgeon that is attached to skeg has 4-3/8" SS bolts and likely not been removed in 45 yrs. I simply exhausted all ideas with no luck. Than it was suggested to remove the transmission/bell housing of the 2GM20F would give me room to pull old shaft from inside. I looked at it today and I doubt that will work. Anyone know of any P33 owners or anyone have a suggestion? It appears the adhesive used is just kicking my arse. I have tried heat, large chisel and 5 # sled......frustrated! Help please!

GLC

[kmacdonald]

Cut old prop shaft and remove in pieces. Remove cutlass bearings so new shaft can be angled in. Then install new cutlass bearings. Don't hit shaft or prop with hammer while attached to gear. It will ruin the bearings in the gear.

[glcalahan]

Thanks...I had to cut the prop off already. PO had no Zincs and 2 of 3 blades gone. I have a new shaft and prop. I already removed the cutless bearing, packing gland and the short re enforced rubber tube. Any other ideas??? Thanks again!

[glcalahan]

I hoped that removing the Tranny and bell housing would do the trick. Looking at it.....I am 93.3% sure it won't give me enough angle.

[kmacdonald]

If you took the rudder off, would the skeg block the shaft removal? It's not unusual to have to remove the rudder to get the shaft out. If it needs new motor mounts, you could do that also and pull the engine forward enough to get the shaft out. I guess it comes down to 1) remove rudder if that will work or 2) move engine out of the way and remove shaft. What option do you like best?

[kmacdonald]

If there is a Pearson owners group, I'd check there for help also. I'm sure you're not the only one that has had this problem. You could pay a yard an arm and a leg to do it but then you'd miss all the fun.

[glcalahan]

1) that is why I am trying to remove the bronze skeg that holds the bottom of the rudder. Bolts removed and the 45 yr old adhesive that will not let go so I spent weeks heating and using solvant. No luck...yes 4-3/8" As bolts removed. Perhaps I missed one????
2) I am down to hoping removing bell housing and tranny and not knowing if that will work OR moving the engine which would solve the problem. Wishing/hoping for another option......ugh. Thanks as I do appreciate any advice.

[glcalahan]

Also....am on FB Pearson pages. No solutions yet.

[AndDavRos]

Can you send pictures of the rudder (gudgeon and post)? Not a Pearson owner, so I may be way off, but could it be that now that you have the bolts in the gudgeon removed you have to remove the bearing/mounts at the top of the rudder post to allow the whole rudder (post and all) to drop off? Pictures might help for anyone who doesn’t have the same setup.

[kmacdonald]

I don't know where the sealant is that's holding it together but sometimes a thin wire can be worked between the two surfaces that are 5200'ed together. Wrap the wire around bolts to create handles.

[glcalahan]

Not sure how to send attachments BUT I do have one. The bronze gudgeon is holding the foot of the rudder/post. Releasing the post top won't help because the "cup" (gudgeon) is holding the bottom of rudder post.

[glcalahan]

Yep....I even thought of a wire. I don't know if there was 3M 5200

[kmacdonald]

It would be easier to move the engine with bell housing and gear attached than removing the gear and bell housing in most cases.

[glcalahan]

Kmacdonld....I am almost on board with that. This boat will be a new 1972 and a major challenge! Everything is replaced...wiring, interior and plumbing etc. If I pull the engine I may as well replace the mounts.....wondering how much for Yanmar 2GM20F motor mts???

[kmacdonald]

Moving the engine isn't that hard of a job. If the engine mounts are still good it's real easy to align when you put it back. You have to do the alignment anyway. Levers are your friend and the boom is the crane.