I'm putting a new Bravo 3 transom assembly in my 97 Sundancer 290 w/ single 454. This will be DIY. Has anyone done this without pulling the motor? I know it's not hard to pull the motor, but I'd rather not have to build the gantry if at all possible.

Thanks.

No way to install a transom assembly without removing the motor. The motor sits on the transom plate and the exhaust Y pipe bolts are not accessible with the plate installed

Thanks. What about if I decided to leave the inner transom plate. I'm not saying I'm going to, but if I did, possible? Incidentally, I'm not the moron that let it get like this. I'm the moron that bought the boat lol I knew it needed work though.

edit: You said you can't remove the exhaust Y pipe without removing the engine. That answered my question... Thanks.

Take everything apart and do it the right the first time...you’ll be glad you did.

Merc Mechanic friend of mine says he does them sometimes without pulling the engines. Says he uses a jack underneath the rear of the engine, or if the situation warrants, a piece of angle iron above with chain to the engine. Angle iron is supported/posted to the stringers of something that can handle the weight.

I have never seen him do it, but it seems feasible?

Makes a lot of sense. Either way you need to move the engine, so I've convinced myself to just pull it. That way I can paint and replace things that need it. Maybe even throw some rings and bearings at the motor. We'll see.

Instead of building a gantry, get it ready to pull and then go someplace that has a gantry, forklift, tractor, or just a solid overhead beam where you could pull from. Put the motor in the back of your truck and head back home!

I did think of that. Someone I know not far away has one. I just might go that route. We'll see. I just hate relying on other people sometimes. That's why I bought the trailer. So I could do all the work in my yard without any hassles.

Not sure if this helps but I pulled the three 502's out of my Fountain a couple of months ago. Got them ready to pull, had a large wrecker come to my home & just lift them out for me. Pretty convenient & ran me 250.00. I'm sure most towing companies would be willing to do it. Just a suggestion.

Thanks. I decided to just build a gantry. That way I'll have it if I want to use it again. I bolted 2"x6"s together. Pretty simple set up.