1987 Crestliner Nordic Transom Replacement

[33inchWalter]

Finally decided to ditch the Johnson 120 and repower to a Suzuki 140 on my 1987 Crestliner Nordic.

The vertical sections on the transom cap have channels. They don't appear to be welded or glued. I removed the corner cap and bent out the aluminum channels a little at the top to peek.
I suspect corrosion and age are bonding it.

Anyone have advice for best way to remove cap?

I'm working on it outside now so 30-40 degrees out. Expect some heat may help.
I'd hate to cut the welds and take it out in sections but I don't want to bend the aluminum either trying to pry it up.
Maybe I should bend the outside of the channels a little all around so I can clamp them back later?
Would Penetrating catalyst help?
Use a winch attached to each side and start increasing tension vs, banging on it?

going to get on it in the morning.

thx

[muskyman73]

ok, I had to chop mine as the wood went from one side all the way to the other. I think they put the wood in first, then completed the gunwales in the production process. I cut them open and had the re-welded back on. Its held up just fine

[33inchWalter]

Transom board out! Chainsawed the middle out and chipped, drilled and pryed to get it up. took about 6 hours with some clean up. My 1987 has corner caps you can remove and then just cut the weld at the top of the transom cap to remove it. (I did it the hard way) will upload pics later.

[33inchWalter]

complete. no regrets. ended up epoxying 2 3/4 inch sheets of plywood together each cut to fit. epoxying the whole thing and adding a sheet of aluminum behind it after putting the wood in. Drilled holes and coated with pc 11inside and on bolts. had the shop install a Suzuki 140 with controls and new steering.