The motor’s single cylinder has been soaking in about an inch of Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) for a few weeks, with my hope that the fluid will loosen up the rings and key the piston move.  The impact set did not have any sockets between 17 and 21mm, but the 3/4″ socket fit perfectly. Rattling it on the high level in either direction had no effect. I decided to continue stripping down the motor. I removed two fuel lines that cross the front of the motor, being careful to keep the copper washers together with the bolts that secure the banjo fittings

I loosened the two 10mm nuts securing the low pressure fuel pump.  It was very hard to access the rear one, but I got it by flipping the 12-point box wrench around a few times. Then the pump pulled out, and I was able to use a razor blade to save the gasket from tearing. I like to use new gaskets but I am not sure I’ll be able to save this motor.

I checked out the motor manual and found the water pump body is supposed to come out. I scraped a fingernail along the separation line between the brass pump and the front housing and was able to twist and pull it off with no small effort.

The high pressure pump came off next after loosening two bolts in the top. There is a plate that compresses against the spring that I pulled out very carefully.

I left the water pump and fuel pump on top of the tank.  I noticed the sump had collected about 1-2 quarts of dark oil, so I will have to try using the bilge pads I picked up at the Grand Marina in Alameda yesterday.

Next, I loosened but did not yet remove the ten 10mm bolts that secure the front if the engine.

I loosened the alternator pulley nut and the bolts that secure the housing and pulley guard (one of which us a 1/2″ hex bolt, the lower is 13mm) using the impact wrench. I was able to then slip off the alternator pulley and belt.

Next, I used the impact wrench set on high and counterclockwise strike to loosen the bolt on the harmonic balancer pulley. It has a key and will require a gear puller to take it off fully. Unfortunately it’s Sunday and Harbor Freight closed early, but neither of those points occurred to me before I drove all the way out there.

Theoretically, after I pull off the pulley and deal with the manual starter shaft I should be able to take the front if the motor off. That’s an exciting moment.  I don’t know if I will succeed in repairing the motor, but getting it out of the boat now seems like a big step in the right direction. Without having a mast up I don’t have a fulcrum to support the tackle necessary to pull the motor out intact, so I believe disassembling it will be the best way to get it out do I can deal with the leaking tank.

I loosened but did not remove the four tiny 8mm nuts that secure a bushing on some front gear. I don’t know why such tiny nuts are used, but they had some corrosion on them even though they’re fully painted.

Next step, maybe tomorrow is to make a quick trip to Harbor Freight to pick up a fear puller,  pull off the harmonic balancer pulley, loosen the hex head set screw that secures the manual start boss and see if I can’t take the front off the motor.