Ring Gear replacement

[Trashdawg]

I have a Mercruiser Alpha One 260/V8, and I need to replace the flex plate ring gear. What is the best way to do it. Pull the motor or pull the drive out.
Thanks

[Havasu47]

You'll have to do both. Pull the drive then the engine.

[shirkey4750]

Be sure to get a line up shaft when you replace the drive.

[EXTREMEBOATS]

You must remove the drive to lift the engine. Shaft alignment should remair true when you reinstall your engine. I do several of them a season....
Mike

[TIMINATOR]

You don't know if the drive alignment is correct before you pull it. Why take the chance? if the alignment is correct upon replacement it only takes 2 minutes to verify it. If it is wrong, then you know that you had to do it anyway. We allways use an alignment tool when a drive is out. We allow for it in the estimate. If the customer doesn't want to pay for us to check it, we tell him to take his boat elsewhere! Were dealing with my reputation here... TIMINATOR

[Havasu47]

Timinator is right. You can never assume the alignment is correct.