I'm trying to beat the cold weather here in Wyoming. Has anyone ever pulled their motor by themselves? I'm stuck trying to figure out what I could possibly be hooked up on. The stock Merc exhaust comes out of the manifolds rises a bit then dives down toward the outdrive. There are two big bolts (removed) holding what appears to be some sort of housing where the exhaust combines from each side them dumps into the out drive. I see only two motor mounts. All hardware that will get in the way of the motor moving has been taken off. I'll get some pictures tomorrow of what I'm talking about. Oh, and the outdrive is off.

Just realized it may be an extra set of motor mounts that I can't readily see. There are two near the front of the motor below the exhaust manifolds. Are there two in the back?

It's a stock Merc Gen 4/5 454 that i'm pulling and putting in my 496 stroker. Bravo 1 outdrive.





added photos. Flywheel housing doesn’t have any attachment to the boat. Drive shaft is pulled from the out drive. The two big bolts I mentioned are out. Two motor mount nuts are off. I’m hanging up in the back though.

I think you are missing the two rear bolts that mount on the transom assembly and go through the bell housing attachment points. Make sure the outdrive is off and the outdrive shaft is completely pulled from the coupler.

I've pulled mine by myself along with a gantry and 1 tone chain fall. It was daunting at first but would do it again if I had to.

Not sure. Granted this vid is of a 350, but I have the exact same exhaust setup. At 5:17 you can see the bolts by the exhaust Y pipe. Mine came out just fine. Looking at schematics for the gen 4/5/6 454 base motor, the flywheel housing looks like it may bolt down like a motor mount on the gen V/VI. Wondering if something similar could be going on for me.

When removing it, I assume I need to slide the motor forward prior to lifting it out?

I got it freed up. I’m curious what it was bound on??? Once I get the motor fully out I’m going to take a look. Just got a hoist it out now. Update later.

Motor is out. Gotta take off the oil pan for clearance.

No clue what it was bound up on. Front motor mounts look good. No abrasions on the threads.


gonna bake the block and sell it. Doubt there is a market for stock intake, TB, and heads.

The few I have pulled, the front motor mounts always catch and bind comimg out . Hard to hold that mass perfectly straight and level while lifting.But you got it.

I've pulled my 454's a few times and always by myself. I have racing mounts, so it may be a bit easier for me to move eng fwd initially. Looks like you had everything major disconnected. Maybe it was a ground/bonding wire somewhere??.

BTW, those 2 fiber washers and lock washer/springs on the rear mount will walk away if you're not careful. I tape them in place with masking tape. After installing the new eng, when re-installing the 2 bolts, just push them thru the tape.

good idea!

What's up with it?
Why not try to sell the engine complete?