Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

[bugsoup]

I have a 1988 mercury 35hp serial #OB271683. Trying to replace the impellar and the lower unit will not come off. All necessary bolts are loose or off and we have tried to use the hard wood wedges that another forum user had success with. I have even tried to use a tow rope to tug the lower unit off!!<br />They tell me I will have to cut a hole in the mid section of the motor case, then cut the shaft, remove the lower unit and begin the horrendous task of removing the shaft from the crankshaft area.<br />Can I, instead, just cut a hole in the case, then cut the shaft and then use a "sleeve" to connect the shaft back together after I have installed the new impellar?<br /><br />The fish are in!! Please, any ideas will be helpful.<br />The engine runs great, and I hate to junk it. Thanks

 

[RandyJ]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

Has the lower unit dropped at all? Since I am not familiar with this engine I can't hope to be totally right.... On the merc's I've worked on I've had to remove the trim tab to get to the bolt which the trim tab hides. It can be a bugger but I've never had difficulty removing a lower unit.. it's just a bittch putting it back on if I have trouble alinging the driveshaft, water tube and shift shaft at the same time.

 

[bossee]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

Hi,<br />When I first removed the lower unit on my outboard(a Suzuki) I first missed the bolt that was hidden under the trim tab and also at first missed the bolt that goes trough the shaft that you control forward/netral/reverse with (bolt was in the other end, up near engine itself). When I had removed them, and all the other visable bolts that held the lower unit, it came off very easy.<br />Maybe it is similar for you?<br /><br />/Bo

 

[bugsoup]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

Thanks for the replies. I have removed all bolts even the one under the trim tab. You are right, the lower unit should land on my foot after removing all bolts, but she is stuck.<br /><br />Corrosion where the shaft enters the "power head" is the likely culprit. Unfortunately, getting to that part of the shaft with penetrating oil or heat is near impossible without creating a whole lot of work and hassle.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

What about the shift rod?

 

[bugsoup]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

FreeBeeTony,<br />Shift Rod?? I was told there is no need to remove or disconnect the shift rod......<br />What can you tell me about it??<br />Thanks

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

I would think something must be disconnected. The shift rod goes from the top of the motor to the bottom. I am just speaking from a logical point of view, I am not familiar with your motor. Sorry. Do you have a manual?

 

[bugsoup]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

FreeBeeTony,<br />Thanks, I don't believe that the shift rod needs to be disconnected. On this particular motor the shift rod is not part of the "drive shaft" that connects to the lower unit.<br />I don't have a manual, but have talked to a few Mercury mechanics up here in Anchorage. I was looking for another answer or perhaps an easier fix.<br />I guess this problem happens on rare occasions and Murphy's Law has it happening to me!<br />Thanks again.

 

[Bear]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

I don't know if this will help. Sometimes it do.<br /> http://www.mercruiserparts.com/images/MERMAR/16402/33.png <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[Bear]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

Another success story. Keep the faith! <br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=17;t=006363

 

[bugsoup]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

Bear,<br />Thanks for the encouragement and great link to the answer to my problem.<br /><br />Had it not been for you I probably would have attempted pulling the motor apart with two pickups and a chain!<br /><br />Now I'll relax, be patient, and use a lot of penetrating oil.<br /><br />I'll post my progress...<br /><br />Cheers, Curtis

 

[Bear]

Re: Frozen lower unit mercury 35 not cooling

You are welcome Curtis!<br /><br />I'll watch you from here.