Help with engine removal Fletcher Arrowbolt 21

[Vinnie]

Can anyone help with how top remove the engine from a Fletcher Arrowbolt 21 please? Or know where I can aquire a manual?

Thanks

 

[rbcoomer]

Hi Vinnie,

Welcome to the forum.

I think we need a little more info before you'll get replies! I presume we are talking inboard V6 or V8? Outdrive removed or in situ still?

I'm working on an Arrowbolt too at the moment - engine will be coming out in the next few weeks on mine too. Mine's a Volvo Penta V8 - exact model not yet known, but I'm leaning towards an AQ D200. Once the outdrive is removed and all the ancillary connections (fuel, electrics, manifolds etc) disconnected then I'm planning to undo the engine mounts, hookup a block & tackle and lift Mine is unfortunately not accessible for an engine crane, so a couple of safety measures and old fashioned muscle will be order of the day... I'll post pics on my restoration thread when I get to that bit so if you're still not done you will perhaps at least get a laugh or two from my endeavours!

 

[markcw]

When i lifted my v/p v6 engine out see pic make sure that the straps you are using can hold double the weight of the engine, get shackles that have a quarantined rating and are certified to hold 1 ton minim. and yes the leg has to be removed completely, but this will give you a good chance to service it and a nice lick of paint.

For my engine lift i contacted a digger hire place and asked if they could lift a max of 800kg on the back of there digger extension arms, luckily 1 ton was the max, i paid them 30 quid cash for a lift and and a return visit to but back in. I then brought 2 sets of 2 ton lifting straps, both were used in the lift as a back up, the shackles i brought from a tools hire shop as they quarantined the items to hold 2 tons each it came with a certificate on the receipt.

The first time i removed the engine was very very stressful, make sure everything is disconnected and held away from the area, then recheck 2 more times, make sure the bellhouseing is unscrewed from the transom plate and all bolts and washer and the large o ring is removed from the exterior transom, just recheck everything, once that motor is lifted and free nothing will stop it. have had the engine out now 3 times and it gets alot easier, just plan to do everything you can do with the engine out, even replacing the bolts on the starter motor that normal seize up, new bolts on sump, new gaskets, bearings in the bell housing are a must to do, everything thing you can afford to do, do and check everything thing in the manual that does not cost money to do.

Also while the engine is out tidy all the engine wires and reroute if necessary, apply a few coats of bilge paint to give it that new look, i went to town with mine and took a whole year to complete it, but very proud of what i did as i have never removed any engine in my life, but i was so determined to do it as i just loved the boat. oh yeah while the leg is off give it a service as well (my 290sp was heavy thou)

If you need any advice i will be happy to help, go for it be positive and give yourself lots of time allocate a whole morning to do the lift and try to pick a nice day my last lift it was raining heavy and not funny, looking back at this photo i was s!@ting myself if that engine drops there no bottom to the boat left, having the driver of the digger do the lift was great very experienced and knew what to do as in the lift, the final fit was awkward onto the mounts, once fitted do not screw up engine mounts, screw up the the bellhouseing bolts and large angle washers to the transom (remember the large rubber O rings one on the bell hse and the other on the bell hse ext face to transom , then screw up the engine mounts second, if you don't get a good fit around the large o rings next time you boat goes in, you will wonder were is that water coming from AAAHHHH
mark

 

[volvopaul]

When i lifted my v/p v6 engine out see pic make sure that the straps you are using can hold double the weight of the engine, get shackles that have a quarantined rating and are certified to hold 1 ton minim. and yes the leg has to be removed completely, but this will give you a good chance to service it and a nice lick of paint.

For my engine lift i contacted a digger hire place and asked if they could lift a max of 800kg on the back of there digger extension arms, luckily 1 ton was the max, i paid them 30 quid cash for a lift and and a return visit to but back in. I then brought 2 sets of 2 ton lifting straps, both were used in the lift as a back up, the shackles i brought from a tools hire shop as they quarantined the items to hold 2 tons each it came with a certificate on the receipt.

The first time i removed the engine was very very stressful, make sure everything is disconnected and held away from the area, then recheck 2 more times, make sure the bellhouseing is unscrewed from the transom plate and all bolts and washer and the large o ring is removed from the exterior transom, just recheck everything, once that motor is lifted and free nothing will stop it. have had the engine out now 3 times and it gets alot easier, just plan to do everything you can do with the engine out, even replacing the bolts on the starter motor that normal seize up, new bolts on sump, new gaskets, bearings in the bell housing are a must to do, everything thing you can afford to do, do and check everything thing in the manual that does not cost money to do.

Also while the engine is out tidy all the engine wires and reroute if necessary, apply a few coats of bilge paint to give it that new look, i went to town with mine and took a whole year to complete it, but very proud of what i did as i have never removed any engine in my life, but i was so determined to do it as i just loved the boat. oh yeah while the leg is off give it a service as well (my 290sp was heavy thou)

If you need any advice i will be happy to help, go for it be positive and give yourself lots of time allocate a whole morning to do the lift and try to pick a nice day my last lift it was raining heavy and not funny, looking back at this photo i was s!@ting myself if that engine drops there no bottom to the boat left, having the driver of the digger do the lift was great very experienced and knew what to do as in the lift, the final fit was awkward onto the mounts, once fitted do not screw up engine mounts, screw up the the bellhouseing bolts and large angle washers to the transom (remember the large rubber O rings one on the bell hse and the other on the bell hse ext face to transom , then screw up the engine mounts second, if you don't get a good fit around the large o rings next time you boat goes in, you will wonder were is that water coming from AAAHHHH
mark

Well done mark, looks are really nice job.

 

[markcw]

Thanks volvopaul,

The engine has been in now a full year and no issue as yet, i will never be in a postion to afford to pay someone to do the work evennthoun i wish i could afford it just wanted to write up my reply to show i can done but i allowed lots of time, have to be truithfull i found it very interesting takeing a rusted out block of metal, everthing was rusted on that engine a real mess, everthing was removed and sanded by machine or hand..

Here are a few more photos of the 500 i took on the rebuild

 

[dpb]

Instead of a digger I built an A frame from scaffold tube and used a chain hoist to do the lifting. Then pulled the boat out of the way to lower the engine to the ground.

 

[rbcoomer]

Instead of a digger I built an A frame from scaffold tube and used a chain hoist to do the lifting. Then pulled the boat out of the way to lower the engine to the ground.

I'm glad you posted as that's very close to my plan and I was starting to think I'd missed something and would have to redo my sums...

After all, they built Stonehenge and the great pyramids without hydraulics and JCBs...

 

[markcw]

I think an A frame will work but i wanted an over cabable device to lift the engine, there is no way on this planet i would build something to lift a heavy engine hopeing it may hold, once that engine is lifted by a 1ft if it drops it will be touching the ground very quickly.

I agree they built Stonehenge and the great pyramids without hydraulics and JCBs but what did thay have to loose when it went wrong a few people and a dent in the ground,

Good luck to you both on your A frames I will be praying to the almighty one above that the lift goes well.