1979 Catalina 27 Cutlass Bearing Replacement

[saurav16]

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone knew the procedure for replacing the cutlass bearing on a catalina 27 from the late 70s. I know the general procedure but was wondering if anything special had to be done to this boat like moving the engine to get room. Also has anyone done this with out removing the shaft?

[petegingras]

I did the replacement on a '76 27' Catalina. But as i recall, it wasn't until the shaft was removed that i noticed the need to replace. And if there's a way to do it without pulling the shaft, someone stronger and smarter would have had to do it.

Once i removed the shaft, it took pounding with a wooden dowel of just the right diameter to realize that a metal object was needed to do the trick. After finding the right solid diameter aluminum bit i realized that the strut was not going to take the pounding.

Resolved to finish what i statred, a stainless steel flathead screw driver allowed me to seperate the cutless bearign down the middle, like cutting a piece of hollow pasta lengthwise from the inside. Otherwise it was suggested that i use a skill saw with a longer bit. or hack saw with the blade backwords, to saw through. I chose the screw driver. After the bearing was cut it was more willing to break the bond it had with the strut.

p.s. i went from gas, Atomic 4, to diesel, Yanmar 27.

[maxmunger]

You may want to take a look at the C27 website at catalina27.org I believe the entire process is written up there.
Also there is a device called the "STRUTPRO" that can press out the bearing from a strut with the shaft on.
BTW the shaft will come out aft rather than moving the engine.