55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

[Heinze]

I have removed 6 bolts, the lower unit dropped about 1 mm after tapping the fin with a piece of timber. The manual does not say what else is holding it together. I want to check the water pump. How do I get the thing off?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

Welcome to iboats and did you disconnect the electric shift harness? There are two rather heavy wires with the connection under black sleeves, one tagged green and one blue. Put a string on the one that goes through the motor and down to the gearcase so that it will be easy to pull back when you're done. Sounds like you have all the bolts. Four obvious ones on the sides with 9/16 heads, one large one in front of the torque tab with a 5/8 head, and one under the torque tab with (I think) another 9/16 head. The torque tab is held on with either a 3/8 or 7/16 head bolt. So there would actually be 7 including the torque tab screw.

 

[lark2004]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

 

[Heinze]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

Thanks WillyBWright. I have done all that as it was explained in the SELOC repair manual. If only they had said what to do if the thing does not budge.

 

[lark2004]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

it could be a stuck driveshaft. This can happen with outboards if the driveshaft isn't greased properly where it joins the crank under the powerhead, or if it hasn't been pulled apart for a long time. There is also an O-Ring on the shaft where the crank joins, this can be a bit difficult to move sometimes too. How long have you had the motor? do you know it's service history?<br /><br /> p.s. you may need to use a bit more force than a piece of wood to seperate the lower unit from the leg.

 

[Heinze]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

Thanks Lark2004. I belted it with a club hammer, the wood was only there to prevent damage to the housing. The thin fin at the top of the lower leg got a bit bent, though. But I have got it apart now. The next problem is now how to get the solenoid cables down. They definitely don't want to move. Any other tricks besides brute force? I took the shroud at the top of the driveshaft leg off to get to the point where the cables enter the housing. The cables seem to have a rubber grommet of some kind. <br />Any ideas?

 

[lark2004]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

that grommet may siliconed (or similar) into the leg to prevent exaust gases from getting into the cowling area. There should be a plate screwed onto the outside of the leg, near the bottom of the leg shroud, remove that and you should have access to where the wires pass into the leg.

 

[Heinze]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

The only thing to remove is a cover for a suspension/flexible hinge thing. I do not think that there is access to the solenoid cable behind that. What about cutting the cables and joining them after servicing the water pump? Or pulling the solenoids out?

 

[lark2004]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

Cutting and spliceing the cable is an option, but it would be last resort. I would try and see where it is getting stuck, look up inside the leg if you can with a torch or something. Also see if you can find a copy of the OEM service manual. The Seloc can be a bit generic at times as it covers to many models in one book.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 55 HP Electric Shift Evinrude '68 Lower Unit

Heinze...hopefully you've disconnected the shift cable at the engine block. Two knife connectors covered with a rubber tube on each. You should be able to use a little lube at the hole where they go through and take a blunt "poker" and push the cable through. Otta' come out.