Re: New Jack plate ordered.
A little.
Remove prop.
Trim the engine so it's vertical.
You might check the prop shaft height. Just so you can start with a known. It's going to be different because the further back the further up it will have to be because of the downward angle of the transom.
Disconnect the battery.
Remove cowl.
Attach sling, chain, twine to raise engine.
Position engine under hoist, tree limb, ceiling joists (Whipper tore his garage apart to do this).
Disconnect the battery.
Now your going to see how much slack you'll have in all the things that connect boat to the engine. Steering cables or Hyd hoses, electrical wiring looms, fuel system, etc.... You need enough room to get the old JP off and the new one on. Your probably going to have to PRY the old JP off so make sure you'll have enough room.
Disconnect the battery.
Jack it up enough to take the weight of the engine off the boat/trailer. Your not lifting the boat off the trailer, just the engine.
Loosen the fasteners that hold the engine to the jack plate, back them off 1/2" or so and see what happens. You'll probably have to raise or lower the engine to get it to move away, it will probably cock at an angle because the lift point won't be centered to the weight. You'll have to give it a shake. Once the engine is supported you can loosen the fasteners more and more. Just make sure it makes small movements and doesn't get bound up.
Disconnect the battery.
Now the engine should be separated from the boat/JP. Carefully move the two pieces apart. You have 500 pounds hanging there! A engine hoist on smooth concrete is a plus, sorta hard the move the tree, house, but Whippers done it, ABC!
Take the nuts off the old JP and remove it from the boat. A lot of times easier said than done. Clean the old sealant off and the grunge. Get the buffer out and .....
Sealer
Anti seize on any stainless to stainless or you'll be VERY sorry.
Loctite
Simple Green
Ask the person at Rapid Jack if they are going to relieve the very top of the JP where it presses against the Aluminum trim that covers the seam between the top cap and hull. I've had to cut a step for this before.
Can they make it a 12" and 14" ? Thinking about in the future.
When your putting the upper boat to Rapid jack nut on be aware the studs and nut are close to the cross shaft. Too close to put the JP flat against the boat and then start the nuts. On mine I have to start the nuts then as I'm threading them on move the JP closer. Just put a little smear of sealer around the studs. Locktite the stud/nut.
Position the engine. Now your going to have to decide which engine holes your going to use that will allow the jack plate to be adjusted both higher and lower once it's all back together. Bolt it back up.
Connect the battery.
Search: Prop Shaft Height. Mark your jack plate and trim guage. Any time you change things recheck the PSH, Right Whipper! :big grin
