Mercury Mercruiser Transom

Mercury Mercruiser Transom

Your MerCruiser transom is responsible for keeping your Mercury MerCruiser safely secure to the stern of your boat for optimal performance of the Mercury steering system. However, the hardware and other transom parts can wear through usage. Failure to keep your transom in good condition can lead to damage to your boat, uneven performance, and in extreme cases, the loss of your motor in the water or during transit. 

PartsVu offers Mercury MerCruiser boats all of the transom system parts MerCruiser boaters need to perform their own repairs. From MerCruiser Drive Installation Gasket Kits, MerCruiser Engine Mounting Hardware, MerCruiser Shift Cable Kits, and more, PartsVu helps you get the job done and enjoy worry-free boating. Best of all, we offer fast shipping and the lowest prices for everything else you need to keep your boat in tip-top shape, including Gear Lube Kits, Mercury Drive System Parts, and 100 & 300 Hour Service Kits. 

To help you find the right Mercury MerCruiser Transom parts plus in-depth articles for reference, be sure to check out some of our helpful MerCruiser resources:

• MerCruiser Inboard Maintenance
• MerCruiser Maintenance Parts Library
• Mercury Outboard and Mercruiser Resources Collection

Mercury MerCruiser Transom FAQ

How do I mount my Mercury MerCruiser motor?

Proper placement and mounting of your engine are vital to your boat’s safety, performance, and handling. Here’s how to mount your Mercury MerCruiser on the transom:

1. If you’re using a lifting device to hoist the engine, use the grab handles to tilt the engine. The top cowling should be above the lower unit.
2. Remove the cowling to access the lifting eye.
• Check the owner’s manual for the location of the lifting eye depending on the model of portable Mercury MerCruiser you purchased.
• Your outboard’s weight can be found in the owner’s manual
3. Properly connect the lifting device.
4. Find the center point before mounting the engine to the transom. To do so, measure across the transom and divide by two.
5. Mark a vertical line at the halfway point with a grease pencil for mounting. 
• Be aware that drain plugs are often NOT in the center of the transom, do not use this as a reference point.
6. After you mark the centerline, but before you mount the engine, make sure that the boat is on land. Do not attempt to install the engine while the boat is in the water. 
7. The tiller handle should be in the UP position.
8. Make sure the steering friction lever is moved to its LOCKED position
• See the owner’s manual for the location of the steering friction lever and how to operate it. 
9. Lift and hold the engine using the grab handles on the outboard. 
• This procedure may require two people to lift. Use best practices when lifting to avoid injury. 
• Do not drop, drag, or handle the outboard in a manner that may cause damage. Damage from improper handling may not be covered under warranty.
10. Install the engine where the engine’s centerline is in line with the boat’s centerline on single-engine applications. 
• If the engine is used as a “kicker” or as an accessory engine, install it according to your boat’s manufacturer’s guidelines and specifications. Or, contact your local Mercury MerCruiser authorized dealer for more information.

How do I perform transom maintenance for my Mercury MerCruiser motor?

MerCruiser engine transom components require regular servicing during the entire lifespan of owning your MerCruiser motor. While you’ll want to regularly inspect all connections and related parts, incorporating transom maintenance during regular maintenance intervals is a best-practice recommended by marine mechanics and experienced boaters.

There are regular maintenance intervals that must be met for Mercury engines, including 20-hour service, every 100 hours, 300 hours, and so forth. The following is the Mercury maintenance schedule for 100 hour and 300 hour maintenance intervals (which includes Mercury’s MerCruiser line of outboard, inboards, and sterndrive engines):

100 Hours/1 Year

300 Hours/3 Years

How do I prepare my MerCruiser motor at the start of a new season?

After the cold season is finally over, it’s time to break out your MerCruiser motor again. However, there are a few tasks you’ll need to perform before putting your outboard back in the water for optimal performance: 

1. Uncover & Unwrap - Before you fold up your engine cover and store it in a trash bag, the engine cover fabric itself should be cleaned. To do so, use a soft brush and a canvas-friendly cleaner like StarBrite Sail & Canvas cleaner.
2. Perform a Complete Walk-Around Inspection - With the cover off the boat, the next step in MerCruiser season breakout is to perform a walk-around inspection. Check for any leaks under the boat, specifically below the engine. Gear lube, engine oil, trim fluid, and gasoline are possible causes for any leaks or stains. Also, trust your gut - if something seems different than when you stored it, take a look to determine if any damage occurred. 
3. Protect Your Boat from Harmful UV Rays - UV rays can degrade your boat’s shine and even cause damage given enough time. Consider applying a coat of wax to protect your boat from UV rays. If you noticed your hull has a chalky appearance, applying a polishing compound before waxing brings out a bright, attractive shine.
4. Battery & Electrical System Assessment - If you removed or disconnected your batteries for storage during the offseason, it’s time to reconnect them. Before you do, visually inspect batteries for evidence of any physical deformation, leakage, corrosion, and age, especially around the terminals.

Inspect the Bilge Pumps, Float Switches & Fresh Water Systems - Float switches and bilge pumps are critical safety gear that are absolutely essential for worry-free boating in the new season. Properly wired float switches should function with or without the battery switch being turned on, so be sure to check both ways. Most boats are also wired so that the operator can manually toggle the bilge pump on. Check to see if the pump runs properly and that your bilge wiring, discharge hose, hose clamps, and thru-hull fitting are all in great shape. If your boat’s freshwater system was winterized, be sure to fill your tanks and flush antifreeze from the system, and dispose of it per the manufacturer’s recommendations. Consider a product like Spring Fresh to flush the freshwater system and clean the lines of any remaining antifreeze.