1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

[Haysc]

Good afternoon,

I am needing to drop my lower end to reseal it. I have a question on how to unbolt the shift rod on the motor. There are 3 bolts close together and i want to make sure i am unbolting the right one.. the only picture i have currently might not be much help but i can take a better one when i get home today or tomorrow. Thanks for the help!

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

 

[boobie]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

The linkage for the shift rod has to be disconnected under the lower carb. Go to shop.evinrude.com and look up your mtr. You'll find the diagrams under power head.

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Alright I have the lower unit unbolted .. Looked at the diagram and still cant find the shift rod bolt. Here are some pictures if anyone can help.. figured id ask first because the two bolts and one screw are extremely hard to get to
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o604/TitaNole/20121201_103345.jpg
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o604/TitaNole/20121201_103352.jpg
http://i1150.photobucket.com/albums/o604/TitaNole/20121201_103307.jpg
Sorry for the direct links but its hard to upload photos on my cell to this site!

 

[boobie]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

In your last pic, see that slotted screw with the lockwasher under it ??. That's the screw you want to remove. It's on the shift linkage and runs horizonatly.

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Oh ok! So after I unscrew that the lower end will be free? Is there away to mark the rod to make it easier to set the height? Ive never done this so thanks for the help I appreciate it!

 

[boobie]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

That will disconnect the upper shift linkage and the l/u should come off.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

I just read the rest of your question. After you get the l/u off note the position of the upper shift rod connector. Then screw it in counting the turns untill it bottoms out and write them down. When you put it all back together, bottom out the shift rod and back it off the number of turns you wrote down. This should get you in the ball park. Used to do it all the time. If you're going to do a lot of your own work, you should get an OEM factory service manual

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Thanks boobie. Lower unit has been dropped! I have a Seloc manual but the instructions you gave me and its instructions were different. Yours worked!

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping the shift rod question

The first picture show alot if " gritty" material. Second picture shows two pinches in the o-ring and the last picture show the seal damage. I havent been able to get the housing off yet .. seems its stuck on there pretty good.

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

Is there any need to remove the " drive shaft housing" ? Ive been prying but it wont budge.. Seloc manual isnt helping .. it was the only option I had when picking up parts. Im hoping ill just buy the seal kit and be done! Thanks for any help

 

[boobie]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

Are you talking about the drive shaft hsg or the shift rod hsg ?? To reseal it properly both will have to be removed.

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

Drive shaft... its sealed tight ....haven't messed with the shift rod.

 

[boobie]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

According to your first pic it looks like the shift rod seal hsg bolts are either broken or removed ????

 

[mark1961]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

Are you resealing your LU because of water intrusion or servicing the water pump or both? Your pics dont show the driveshaft bearing and seal assembly.....pic 1 and 3 show the shift rod housing with the bolts removed which imo due to corrosion needs to be replaced.

 

[Haysc]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

boobie i took all the bolts out but havent removed either housing. Mark im resealing it because of water leaking in. I took the motor to a marine mechanic for a new pump job and had him reseal it last year but continued to have a water leak. Looking at some of the seals it looks like he may have pinched some of them so i figured i would just ask a million questions and do it myself. here is a picture i took last nightb

 

[mark1961]

Re: 1977 55hp 55773d dropping lower unit and reseal

If the marine mechanic had done a thorough job on the reseal you shouldnt be having a water intrusion issue again this soon.....the pinch in the oring in pic 2 will not let water into the gearcase, it just the seals the base of the water pump housing to the wear plate so the water pump (impeller) can operate more efficently. The seals that prevent water intrusion are on the driveshaft, propshaft, shiftrod and drain/vent plugs.

Before you go tearing the gearcase apart flying blind.....i suggest you replace all the bolts you removed in the two housings in the last pic (leave the water pump off) and give the gearcase a proper pressure/vacuum test (explained in the OEM manual) to expose the leak.....could be as simple as a drain/vent plug gasket.