1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

[cbourbeau32]

I'm changing my impeller on my 18hp Evinrude but can't get my lower unit completely off due to the shifting rod holding it in. I can get I'd say a 2" gap between the lower unit and where it bolts on but I can't get it any further. I'm sure it's something simple but rather than pull hard on it and goof something up I thought I'd ask. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks, Charlie

 

[nwcove]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

Have you removed the oval cover on the side of the leg and completely removed one of the shift rod coupler bolts?

 

[cbourbeau32]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

No sir, that's probably it. Thank you!

 

[cbourbeau32]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

Ok, got the impeller changed and am having a little trouble getting the drive shaft to go back into the engine so that the lower unit will snug up to the bolt holes. Any tricks to this or something I might be missing?

Thanks, Charlie

 

[racerone]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

Slowly turn the flywheel as you push the lower unit up.---Do not use the bolts to force it into position.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

these should help too.

Maintaining Johnson E & FD Serie

http://www.*****************/parts/...ntage-evinrude-johnson/381415/38141500001.htm

 

[cbourbeau32]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

Ok, I got the impeller installed and the lower unit put back on. The motor is pumping water well so I know I did the impeller installation correctly. However it doesn't shift correctly. When the shifter is forward (towards the front of the motor) it's in neutral and when it's shifted back one position it goes into gear. Does that sound like my linkage is too short or too long? I'm certain that I got the lower unit assembled correctly as I also replaced the seal that goes around the bottom of the gear case at the same time as the impeller was replaced. Also, nothing to do with this maintenance that i just performed but I noticed the first time I took the boat out to the lake that when it's first started it kind of runs a little rough but once it is warmed up slightly it runs very well and idles down very well and will stay running nicely even at a very low idle. Is this normal or something I should worry about?

Thanks again for any advice.

Charlie

 

[racerone]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

When you assemble this and hook up the connecter you need to do this.----Make sure the notch in the shift rod is lined up exactly with the hole in the connecter.--Then install the bolt.----If it shifted ok before the work started then that is likely where the problem is.

 

[oldboat1]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

^^need to fully back out one or both bolts -- and not drop either of them in the lower unit, or you will have to take the l.u. off again to retrieve a bolt. Suggest you just back out the bolt you initially took out, if removed only one. Connector might be pinched shut just a little, so might have to turn it out toward the window a little and carefully jigger it with a bladed screwdriver.

 

[cbourbeau32]

Re: 1966 evinrude 18hp lower unit removal

Racer, thanks. Just to clarify, I remember seeing the notch (actually on mine it is more like a groove that goes all the way around the rod) in the shift rod coming down from the top (I assume this is the notch you are talking about) but I'm not sure about the hole in the connector. The bottom half of the shift rod has two bolts that when tightened hold the upper and lower sections together. It did shift perfectly before I took it apart.

Thanks, Charlie