Bottom unit off!!! 6 hp fisherman

[Britcheflee]

Well, I eventually got the very bottom part of the lower unit off to get to the impeller - it was just gummed up inside there and did not want to move. Now I have the job of getting the screws off the top of the impeller housing - one moved but the others are rock solid.

What do you use to clean out the inside of the lower unit? Ok to spray brake cleaner up there? De-greaser and water? Eventually I am going to have to re-assemble - should I put some gasket sealant on the faces of the two parts as I assemble or does it not matter if that is a watertight seal or not? Any advice regarding replacing impeller on this 68 model and any other comments much appreciated. I guess I should cover everything with grease before re-assembly?


Lee

 

[emoney]

Re: Bottom unit off!!! 6 hp fisherman

No to the gasket sealer when you put the LU back on. As for the degreaser - sure, clean it all up good so you can get a good look at the bolts, etc. PB Spray is a good choice and let it soak for a bit. Take your time and those bolts will come out. You might want to locate a water pump "kit" just in case you run into other issues when you get it apart. I've never owned a '68, but have a 6hp '76 now and I don't grease it during reassembly.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Bottom unit off!!! 6 hp fisherman

Hi Britcheflee. You can use break cleaner or actone to clean out the inside of the exhaust housing, but bear in mind it will just get dirty again once the motor is up and running, but if there lots chucky, gooey stuff you definitely want to get it out of there. PB blaster is good stuff just give it some time to do its thing. You may also need an impact driver if they're super-stubborn. A water pump kit is great b/c if should come with a water pump plate and housing, which might also be wort replacing if they're super gunked up. Glad you got the LU off. Now the fun stuff starts.

 

[scipper77]

Re: Bottom unit off!!! 6 hp fisherman

When I did mine last week I cleaned it up as well as I could without using anything abrasive. On reassembly I used a little silicone spray on the impeller housing. I don't think the spray did anything other than make me feel good about the impeller not being dry for the first startup.

Where I spent most of my time was scraping off the old gasket at the base of the powerhead. Also cleaning the carbon out of the exhaust passage.

I also replaced all of the old fuel lines with new ethanol resistant line.