Backhoe???? Sweet!! Nothin' like havin the right tools.....we all need one of those!!!!

You will also need to unbolt the throttle cable brackets and lay off to the side. Don't mess with the adjustments if it's running fine. Also will need to pull off drive oil resevior and plug the hose with a pencil or bolt to keep oil from running out. That's if its mounted on engine.

1997 powerquest remove and replaced 502 mag replaced drive coupler and alined the drive i paid 585.00

Just my opinion, but if you are pulling the engine for something like that, go ahead and replace all the wear out items while it is easy. Waterpump, check the coupler, change the oil, spark plugs, etc. All things that are a lot easier while the engine is out.

That is a hell of a deal, the coupler it self is about 300 bucks retail.

I agree that everyone's pretty much covered most of the things to look for. I did my Baja a couple months ago (my 1st boat motor) and I agree it was easier than I thought. One mistake I made though was not paying close attantion to how the spacers and washers came out of the bell housing coupling (excuse my lack of proper terminology). I left out the "spring looking" lock washers and the shaft for the drive wouldn't line up when I tried to put the drive back on because the back of the motor was too low. Other than that it was really not bad at all. In my case the boat sat for a few months waiting for the machine shop and my memory didn't serve me well. You could do this job in a day with a buddy that can turn wrenches.