Pachanga exhaust?
 

Buddy bought an '87 32' Pachanga, 454 mags. Previous owner re-routed the thru-hull exhaust to the props. Buddy has all of the original exhaust plumbing to put it back to original. Question is, do the engines have to come out to do this exhaust swap? Been told yes but it doesn't appear to be required that the engines come out.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

if the bullhorn assemblies are still in place but have been capped off then there would be no need for engine removal,just make sure the splash flaps are still in place & working . be agood idea to ckeck & replace your riser gaskets at the same time. cheers ajl.....

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

I'm surmizing the the "bullhorns" you refer to are the 5" exhaust tips through the lower hull corners. If so, yup, still there, just capped off.

When we disconnect the through-prop plumbing, how do we cap that off down there at the Alpha drives?

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

The bullhorn is the Y down-pipe that takes the exhaust down to the transom assembly for thru prop exhaust.

originally there is a log "can" (kinda looks like a heat exchanger, 'cept it's 6" in dia or so) across the back on each engine. the rubber hose from the risers dumps straight back into this. This in turn dumps with rubber hose from the outboard end, into an AquaLift muffler in the corner, then rubber hose to the thru-hull from the muffler body.

Big can 2/3 full of water...the simplist most effective muffler idea.

Are all the original parts with the boat?

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

Yeah, all original. Just don't know how to cap-off the thru-prop set up.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

My Pachanga has a cap/plate over it and has no exhaust bellows. There was a thread in the last few weeks about removing the Y pipe and capping it.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

Thirdbird,

Mercruiser makes a block off plate for the transom assy that blocks the opening at the transom. I believe that the motor needs to come out in order to install the block off plates. You can block / cap this off in other places, however you run the risk of adding another joint at or below the waterline (potential to leak and because of their size could sink a boat quickly). The dealers and manufacturers would never recommend this. Bottom line; to do it by the book you should use the block off plates. I have never put these in maybe it can be done with the motor in.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

Well, maybe that's why I'm being told the engines need to come out to put the exhaust back to stock (Pachanga stock). I've been looking at it and can't see any reason for the engines to come out to put the original exhaust back in. But,,,,,,,, to put the block-off plates in,,,,, maybe so.

Thanks bbcngineer, I'll investigate some more.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

You can buy PVC caps and clamp them to the top of the bullhorns with the rubber hose. Seen that done many times until the motors come out to remove the horn all together.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

ok no offense guys but can we quit calling the Y pipe the bull horns? not all y pipes have round ends alot of them are oval and can't be capped with a round object. You defenitly have to pull the engines to install the blockoff plates, it's not a matter of haveing small enough hands to get in there the bolts hit the bellhousing long before they are unthreaded even if you could get your hand in there. I would not recomend blocking it off any other way then useing the block off plates its too big of a hole and too big of a risk. You dont have to pull the engines all the way out either you can just slide em foward about a foot if you have the room. If not pulling them all the way isn't a big deal, ussualy the worst part is dealing with the exhuast which is the reason your pulling them anyway. Other then that it only takes about 15 minuits to get the engine out.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

OK, thanks Hillbilly. I think I understand the situation now. I'll recommend to the owner we run it like it is until the season is over then yank 'em and do it right. And you're right on pulling the engines, done it a few times and it's not that big a deal. Thanks for all the input here guys. :cool:
Dave

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

Just another quick question here.................. if we slide the engines forward (there is plenty of room) do we need to pull the drives (Alphas)? I would think not but we need to think about the shaft dropping out.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

I don't know how you can pull the engines without pulling the drives. :( Pulling engines is really no big deal. After you do it once its like riding a bike :D

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

If you have the room you could slide the engines without pulling the drives and the shafts won't fall becuase the gimbal bearing supports them. However it's not worth it becuase you will have a hell of time lineing it all back up to get it back together. I've seen several people pull engines with the drive on thinking they were saving time but after fighting to get the engine back in they wind up pulling the drive anyway.

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

Tbird,

I think you will sleep better pulling the engine and installing the blockoff plate. You will need to pull the drive off in order to get the engine back in so pull it off first to prevent damage to the drive shaft / coupler.

bbcngineer

Re: Pachanga exhaust?
 

Thanks guys, thought more about it after my post. Engine has to come UP to clear the front mounts anyway. We'll pull the drives and engines and do it right.