siezed lower unit screws... please help!

[samw88]

Hello, I'm new to this site, and boat motor repair. Thanks to the knowledge base here, I believe my QD-23 10 horse Johnson has worn clutch dogs (great info in a couple posts- thank you!)

When attempting to remove the bottom of the lower unit though, all 6 screws seem to be rusted (corroded) in place. On other steel projects, I'd take the torch and try heating the casing to loosen the bolts... but I'm hesitant to do that with the aluminum, seals, oil, etc.

I put an impact driver on them and tried rattling a couple with no luck. What have others done to get the lower unit apart? Any tricks of the trade that a guy could try?

 

[F_R]

Those screws probably are not rusted or corroded in place. They will almost always come out using a hand impact screwdriver. The kind that rotates when you whack it with a hammer. Outboard mechanics can't live without one.

 

[54bobby]

Those screws probably are not rusted or corroded in place. They will almost always come out using a hand impact screwdriver. The kind that rotates when you whack it with a hammer. Outboard mechanics can't live without one.

AMEN , a must have. and if you strip one or two, helicoils

 

[jimmbo]

The Joys of Aluminium and Threaded Fasteners

 

[RaisedByWolves]

Try alternating ccw-cw with the impact driver a couple times.

 

[boobie]

Get yourself some mapp gas and try some heat.