VERSA-MOUNT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO

Transom Mount VERSA-MOUNT
Find center on your transom and mark with a pen/pencil.  Use a speed square to draw a straight line across the top of the transom in center.  Clamp the backer plate/drilling template to the transom flush with the top and in the center. There is a groove on the template to show center. Use a 21/64" drill bit for the 5/16" bolts.  If transom allows to place template on both sides of the transom drill only half way through and then place on the opposite side and drill through to meet other holes.  This ensures the holes are straight.  If template cannot be placed on both sides drill holes as square and straight as possible.  Place the backer on the opposite side of the transom than the mount to use as a big washer. If backer can not be used get some heavy duty fender washers in its place.  Install hardware and tighten very tight. Check the bolts after the first time running and on a regular basis.
When the Versa-mount is on the boat it is ready to install the motor and frame.  Put grease into the pivot hole or onto the swivel plate surface before installing (depends on engine size how it is shipped). Use hardware supplied to attach the frame.  Having a few extra helpers or an overhead lift makes this job easier.  When installed make sure the bolts are tight.  Tight enough to stop any rocking but not so tight that it is hard to turn left and right or pivot in and out of the water.   The pivot and swivel bolts will loosen with use so check on a regular basis and tighten or if you notice any rocking of the engine.

ASSEMBLY

Oil
Almost all engines are shipped without oil.  Be sure to check and add oil. We run 10w30 conventional motor oil.  We recommend to run the motor for 3-5 hours then change your oil and filter to get the break in oil out of the engine.  Run through the full RPM range during break in. This is what we do but feel free to follow the engine's owners manual.

Fuel Connection V-twin engine only
We ship the motor with Mercury/ Force connector on the fuel line .  If you don't already have the male/tank side, this is the connection you will want on your fuel tank.

Starting/Tilt Switch
Your motor has a safety tilt switch installed. This prevents the motor from starting when the prop is in the water or tilted as it would be when in the water.  Tip the motor so the prop is high in the air to start the engine.

Battery
We recommend using a small lawn tractor battery.  You can buy them at your local auto parts store.  If you would like to buy an Interstate we recommend model # SP-40.  Any large car battery will work, but using a small battery saves on weight.

Handle Mounting
Slide the handle in to the frame/handle mount on engine and put the through bolt in and tighten, this ensures that the handle can not twist or pull out.  Be sure the bolt goes through the frame and the hole in handle.  Then tighten the pinch bolt, This make the handle tight and keeps it from vibrating.

Grease
We use NGL#1 grease.  It is a light weight grease.  Generally speaking, if you are not loosing grease out of your drive tube you don't need to be adding any.  Grease the transom mount every 25 hour or as needed. Grease the transom mount if you feel it getting tight/binding.
-Yearly drive tube grease  The best way to grease the drive shaft is to take off the prop and also the lower bearing housing. The lower bearing housing is left hand thread and can be loosened with a channel lock pliers.  The bearing housing then can be slide away from the drive tube so grease can be pumped in to the drive tube with out over pressurizing.  Pump grease until good clean grease comes out at the bottom.  Wipe off excess grease and re-assemble.
The Drive tube can also be greased without removing the lower bearing by making sure the drive tube is warm to the touch.  Have it sitting on the sun or in front of a heater inside.  Pump grease very slowly to pass by lower seals without pushing it up and though the upper seals.  We have weep holes built in to the bell housing so if grease does pass upper seals while under pressure it can drain from the bell housing.

Shimming the  Surface Tracer Cavitation Plate
Your cavitation plate might not need any adjustment.  When you first run the motor make sure the prop depth adjustment is allowing the prop to fall about 12-14 inches in the water.  This allows the cavitation plate to come and run on the surface without being affected by the stop as your boat comes on to plane.  Adjust the Surface Tracer in deep water/clean water. The surface tracer needs to be adjusted if the prop is diving deep in the water or jumping out of the water.  The best performance is when the Surface Tracer is on or near the surface.  If your surface tracer does need adjustment look at the diagram in the owner's manual or on the website. http://www.backwaterinc.com/shimming.html
Be sure to check that the cavitation plate bolts stay tight.  Check this every time you spin your prop in to the boat for transportation.