1974 150 HP Lower Unit Problem

[elark7]

I got the 150 I bought running and wanted to remove the lower unit on it to replace the impellor. After starting all of the bolts I removed the back three and loosened the front one to allow removal of the middle two. This is where the problem is. As I removed the two middle nuts I noticed that the bolts were coming up out of the housing. I tried to tighten them in farther then remove the nuts to no avail. I would really like to put a new impellor on since I have no idea when it was last changed. It has a good stream, but not right away, and continues to dump out water even after I shut down. Any ideas on how to keep the bolts in the housing? I am guessing that someone had them out at some point and failed to reinstall them properly. Thanks for the help.

 

[Laddies]

Re: 1974 150 HP Lower Unit Problem

After removing them from the housing, hold the stud in a vie or with pliers (use care not to damage the threads) then double nut the studs use some red loctite and reinstall them in the housihg after drying remove the nuts and they won't come out again.

 

[elark7]

Re: 1974 150 HP Lower Unit Problem

Laddies,
Thanks thats the plan. I already bought a tube of loctite, but can only use it if I can get the nuts off. As I turn them the bolts come out of the lower unit and butt up against the the area above the nuts. So I am unable to remove these last two nuts to drop the lower unit. I need a way to keep the bolts in the lower unit while it is still attached to the motor. I would loctite the bolts where they are but I don't think I can get them to tighten all the way down into the LU housing.

 

[Alumarine]

Re: 1974 150 HP Lower Unit Problem

If you remove ALL the other bolts including any hidden ones, will the LU not separate as you unscrew the loose studs?

Sorry, but I'm trying to picture what you are talking about.

 

[emckelvy]

Re: 1974 150 HP Lower Unit Problem

Dude, don't worry about the nuts. Been there, Done that!!!

As long as all the other bolts etc are loose or removed, just keep loosening the (2) nuts which have captured their studs. Loosen one, then loosen the other one a like amount, then rinse, lather, Repeat.

You'll have to exert a bit of pressure on the 'split' between gearcase and center section if the lower unit doesn't want to fall of its own accord.

When both studs screw all the way out of the gearcase, the gearcase will fall off so be ready to catch it! Or just leave one of the other nuts on loosely.

Use some Vise Grips to hang onto the unthreaded "shoulder" between the studs' fine threads, and the coarse threads which screw into the gearcase.

Once they're removed, Loctite 'em back in place as Laddies suggested.

HTH & Have Fun!..........ed