Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

[petrey10]

I am putting a water pump kit on my 1971 Mercruiser140 and have the kit in and everything but can't get the lower unit up on the upper unit snuggly...I can get it to about a 1 inch gap between the upper and lower...thats it....can't figure out what its hanging up on and don't know what to do next....

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Help...

Re: Help...

Please state you problem in the subject line...we would THINK that you need help...

 

[petrey10]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

I changed it sorry about that

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Is Everything in Forward,..??

Are you aligning the Water Tube,.... Shifter Shaft,..?? Drive Splines,..??

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

What Bondo said and.......
Turn the prop ccw & the shift shaft cw until it locks firmly in gear & hold the prop into place firmly so it cannot pop back out....
It may be neccessary to turn the prop slightly to get the drive shaft to engage.......
Whatever you do, do not force the two together.....
They will mate up easily when they are aligned properly....​

 

[mgewton]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

I have a similar problem except I got my '73 120 completely installed and when I turn it on (in neutral) the prop is engaged. The engine dies when attempting to put it into drive / reverse. I'm guessing I didn't get the shift shaft in full forward - how do I do that?? Just turning it cw didn't work for me; the shaft was loose and spinning except when shoved up and into the upper half of the outboard. What does a shift-shaft wrench do? Can it be imitated by a more common wrench?? I just replaced seawater pump due to an overheating problem and now this issue - kids can't go tubing and it's hot out side! Suggestions?? (Thank you!)

 

[Sid Schuster]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

I too am having the same problem! Gets to about an inch from mating with the upper. I am thinking i am hanging up on the shifting shaft. I will try again tomorrow when it's light out and i get a jack to help hold it up. I just bought the boat and the previous owner tried to get it also but couldn't do it either. I've done this before but it was about eighteen years ago and i remember there was a trick to it. So if i get it i will let you know how i did it!!!

 

[langford7]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Do not use a jack!!! Get a buddy or two to help you. When using a jack you could be putting more pressure on it than you think you are, causing some serious damage. If the drive did come out of forward gear, you will need to put it back in to install the lower end properly. First, place the controls in full forward gear. On the top of the lower end there is a small male spline gear, use a pair of needle nose pliers, and gently pull up on the spline and turn it clockwise to engage the forward gear. It will only come up a little, so don?t force it. To insure it is in forward gear, turn the prop CCW, there should be resistance, if not turn the small gear CCW. Also, you need to insure that you keep the brass coupler in place (snug against the top end). Now you can turn the prop to line the female and male splines up. Like Bondo said, don?t force it. When it is right it will come together smoothly.


Good luck..

 

[hoot]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

i have found it easier to pull the upper unit and put the two parts together on a bench top instead of trying to get the lower on with the upper still attached to the boat. there are several things that have to fit together, the splines on the drive shafts, the water tube, the shift dogs...and you may find that the two nuts on the side have to be started on the studs before the two halves are fully together as the studs will be too high to get the nuts started. and be sure the o-rings stay in place. good luck.

 

[Sid Schuster]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

ok i got it to go up into the upper, in gear but when i move the control arm it disengages it One question... the shift coupler that comes down out of the upper moves up and down almost a half an inch is that normal??
I think i wasn't ligning up the drive shaft with the hole, was going beside it. But if anyone can answer my question i will be gratefull!!!!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

did ya put the washer on the top of the shift shaft on the lower?

 

[Sid Schuster]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

I'm really not sure. I didn't take one off. It sits over the shift shaft on the lower?

 

[Sid Schuster]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Took it off and there is no washer on the lower, Is it just going to take some trial and error??

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

It sits over the shift shaft on the lower?

yes, item #50 in the parts blowup here..... http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...bnbr=70&bdesc=GEAR+HOUSING+ASSEMBLY,+COMPLETE

w/o that washer, where the shift shaft couples between the upper and lower.there will be to much space between the two...... it should be coupled together like this..

 

[JustJason]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Boy you guys have it easy.....

Try doing a yamaha 250 ocean pro 30" shaft all by your self....

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Took it off and there is no washer on the lower

yep, get a new one from yer local mercruiser dealer....

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

and i remember there was a trick to it.

Ayuh,......

Mine is to wrap a Bungee Strap from the Cavplate on 1 side, down around the Propshaft,+ back up to the Cavplate on the other side,...
Turn the propshaft a click or 2 against Forward gear,+ the Bungee will hold Just enough tension against Forward gear to keep it from Popping into neutral......

 

[Sid Schuster]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Actually i am only tring to put the lower unit on not the whole outdrive, And to tell yua the truth im not sure it's a 140!? It's a 1966 fabuglas with a mercruiser 120 engine, so would that be a 120 outdrive also??

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Amazing how many times this 2007 thread has been Hi-Jacked.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 140 lower unit install

Ayuh,....

If you Always put Everything in Forward Gear when working on Any of the Alpha generations,...
Pre-Alpha,(your's) Alpha 1, or Alpha 1, Gen.IIs....

Things will Always be where they should be, When they should be....

Installing Just the lower to the upper, Still needs to have Everything in Forward gear to work right....

Amazing how many times this 2007 thread has been Hi-Jacked.

Ayuh,..... Boy, O Boy,.... Sid done got Me Good...... I totally missed it....

Sid,... Welcome Aboard,.... Don't Ever do that again...........
Post a New thread about New problems.... Your new problems....

The archives are for learning,... Not posting too....