Transom assemblies and engine room makeover

LaRea

[EDIT:  This project evolved into a major renovation, so I changed the title.]

I'm heading towards a long-deferred repair:  Both of my transom assemblies are leaking, and one side has heavy corrosion around the steering pin.  When I haul out for winter layover, I'll probably replace both transom assemblies.  

My mechanic says he can probably do it without removing the engines (i.e. slide the engine forward).  However, I have a healthy list of jobs that would be easier with the engines out.  The boat's 13 years old with 820 hours on Merc 496s.  Here are some of the things I'd probably do:

Replace exhaust elbows and flappers
Fix minor corrosion on the engine blocks and accessories
Install wire looms for engine room wiring
Install better lighting in the engine room
Replace hard-to-reach hoses 
Give the entire ER a general cleanup

What else should I consider if I pull the engines?

Handymans342

Consider the loan terms. LOL

LaRea

My mechanic has a daughter in college ... somebody has to pay her tuition.  

I wonder if I should do starter motors.  No issues with them, but it'll never be easier than now.  

raybo3

@LaRea check and maybe repaint the oil pans. 

aero3113

@LaRea , I would do the starters. Like you said, would never be easier.

YYZRC

My coolant/raw water hoses are in rough shape. I would replace them if I had my engines out. 

Liberty44140

Good call on adding lighting. Very nice to have. If your bilge is anything like my 342 was you may want to do the bilge pump too. 

Handymans342

Make sure the fiberglass around the transoms are true and flat

Cableguy Greg

Paint the floor of the engine room.

Black_Diamond

Couplers. Depth sounder. Check hoses. Once the engines are out do as much as you can. 

I did both transom assy last fall. Went with the SeaCore ones. 

Aqua_Aura

Curious as to what it cost to do the transom assembly. Don't need it but since it's brought up it has me wondering what something like that cost. 

Dream_Inn

Definitely the hoses.  I've had mine out a few years ago. Cleaning was my big thing, but I also replaced the padding under the generator.  How are the blower hoses?

LaRea

Ditto ... @Black_Diamond if you don't mind, how much did you pay for SeaCore units?  I haven't done a real search, but I saw retail prices at $3.2k each.  

At this point, pandemic availability becomes a factor too.  It might be worthwhile to wait a month or two, which is fine with me.  Just need to haul out early enough that they park me on asphalt instead of gravel.  

Added to the growing wish list:
Starters
Maybe replace depth sounder with a fishfinder
Check transom is flat and true
Couplers

LaRea

@Dream_Inn I did the blower hoses last month.  Definitely all water and hydraulic hoses.  And I might replace the insulation too.  

Your engine room is the Gold Standard to which I aspire.  

reneechris14

LaRea said:

@Dream_Inn

Your engine room is the Gold Standard to which I aspire.  

Well said, don't forget the pic of him a raft with the plam trees in the back ground.

Black_Diamond

@LaRea. I can check my invoice, but that number sounds about right. For mine: pull both engines, they did a bit of fiberglass work at the transon assy holes, a few of the engine mount screw holes were stripped out 😱 so those fixed too. Replaced my one remaining original coupler with the HD one. 

Handymans342

Make sure they seal the new assemblies like Al has said to do. 

Dream_Inn

Handymans342 said:

Make sure they seal the new assemblies like Al has said to do. 

Definitely make sure it oozes out the sides around it.  Mine has some coming out all the way around.  Makes for a nice dry bilge!  I know need to change out my pulleys and then put new belts on.  That's one of my winter items.  Then I won't continue having all the belt dust.

LaRea

Opinions on SeaCore for a fresh-water boat?  It costs an extra $400 per side.  

And yes, I'll make sure there's plenty of oozing!  I read all 350 pages of the thread by @j3ff about his transom assembly leak.  

I'll probably replace the engine mounts too.  

Handymans342

You could just get the starters rebuilt. There is a great place in Alexandria. 

LaRea

Are you talking about Virginia Pump?  I used them when I was running the yacht club's pool for a couple years.  

Handymans342

It’s right near Nicks nightclub

GMSLITHO

how about a drain hose from the oil pan I had one on my 270 it was a great feature 

aero3113

GMSLITHO said:

how about a drain hose from the oil pan I had one on my 270 it was a great feature 

A lot of people don’t like them but I do. My starboard pan has one but my port doesn’t. I like knowing that as much oil and moisture has drained out. I’ll also pour some clean oil in and let it drain out.

LaRea

They already have drain hoses.  

davidbrooks

So i just looked at my invoice for when i did this in 2017.  I didn't go the seacore route though.  Labor was $3k to remove and reinstall both engines and Transom Assemblies.  One TA was around $2800 and $2k for the other.  The cheaper one was one i found on craigslist and had to drive to go get.  It was brand new still in the box.  The only thing was it was setup for digital senders and i had to just swap them out for analog.  Also replaced one of the engine couplers at the same time.

YYZRC

So about 25 hours of labor?

LaRea

I'll display my ignorance about couplers ... can I inspect and replace only if needed, or should I just plan to replace them as a wear item?

Handymans342

Replace

goalie59

Not sure where your generator is located but might be easy to do a complete service on it while the engines are out of the way. 

LaRea

Not sure what I'd do differently from the annual, but you have a point.