1981 Mercury 3.6 Lower Unit Removal

[slappy1974]

A friend of mine gave me a 1981 Mercury 3.6 outboard which I'm using as my backup. I took it out for a spin this weekend and water is not coming out so I need to replace impeller so it doesn't overheat.

I took the screws off the lower unit, but it won't come off. I was able to force it about a 1/4" but I don't want to break something.

Does anyone know what I'm forgetting to disconnect to get to the impeller?

Thanks.

 

[slappy1974]

Help - 1981 Mercury 3.6 Need to Change Impeller

Help - 1981 Mercury 3.6 Need to Change Impeller

Anyone have any tips?

 

[razo]

Re: 1981 Mercury 3.6 Lower Unit Removal

did you disconect the gear linkage before droping the lower unit.If not , put everything back together and do this steep first.Its sometimes a bit fiddley to get at but it has to be done first....

 

[slappy1974]

Re: 1981 Mercury 3.6 Lower Unit Removal

There's no shift linkage as it's always in forward.
If you want to go back, you spin the motor 180 degrees.

I did get the lower unit off with a little elbow grease, but now I'm having trouble separating the exhaust housing from the lower unit.
One of the bolts is stuck in the exhaust housing and I'm very slowly driving it out. It's taking a lot more force than it should.

I may stop now and see if I can change the impeller in the gap I have created between the lower unit and exhaust housing.