Crap, I busted my lower unti, help with fix (story)

[jrwhites]

OK here it goes, I lost forward on my 55hp motor. So I'm on the lake looking over the linkage, perfect. I have reverse, have you ever seen a boat go down the lake in reverse? Funny huh. OK anyway I get home and decide I'm going to pull the lower unit because it was making some noise. Looking at my manual it said to remove 6 bolts, well I removed my 4 because that is all it had. Then it said to remove the cotter pin from the shift lever. Well mine had two nuts sort of. As I was seperating the two to get it seperated, I broke the shift rod. So I continue to pull the LU and then the gears. Welp, the bearing that is towrds the front of the boat was toast, i mean in pieces. So this must be the reason i had no first gear???????? If it couldn't shift right then no first. Anyway the little screw that holds the shift lever clevis to the rod in the bearing case, I cannot get it out to remove the shift rod so i can weld it up. Is this all worth it? This motor is like new, purrs like a kitten. I mean new head unit and all. The lower unit sucked though. So first, how do i get the damn screw out for the shift rod. Do i need a press for the bearing? And when i put it back together, do i put the shift rod back together then install the lower unit and then put the crew in, i mean once i get it loose? Anyway, please give a newer boater hand. Thanks.

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: Crap, I busted my lower unti, help with fix (story)

Sorry to hear about your problem and I like your sense of humor. You may want to provide the YEAR of your Force motor, so someone who has more experience with that model could help you. If all else fails, try themarinedoctor.com.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Crap, I busted my lower unti, help with fix (story)

Finding parts for a 55 hp chrysler is hard. You may want to watch ebay. I just bought a complete lower unit there for 36 bucks and it is running on my chyrsler without a hitch. Last week they had prop shaft, forward and reverse gear and clutch dog for 65 dollars. The forward gear new is about 250 and you will also need a clutch dog which is around 200. Are you sure you have a chrysler manual and not a force manual. I dont know of a cotter pin. Only a nut with reverse threads that is about 1.5 inches long. When you have the upper and lower unit apart you should be able to release the pivot screw from the prop shaft with your fingers then remove the pivot screw and the whole thing should come right out.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Crap, I busted my lower unti, help with fix (story)

What Eurolarva said....<br />BTW, the 1984-1991 50HP Force l/u might just bolt right on. They changed nothing on the l/u's until Merc did in 1993 or so.<br />I have two 'basket-case' cases from a Force 50HP that may be of help (free, but "U-Ship").<br /><br /> Ebay is an excellent source for old parts, as are the local boat yards.

 

[jrwhites]

Re: Crap, I busted my lower unti, help with fix (story)

the motor is 557hc what year that means I don't know. So how do I hook up the shift rob back up when I get a new one? Anyway, the only thing wrong with the lower unit is the bearing for the shaft and the shift rod. Do you put the bottom half of the shift rob on them mate them, or do you try to align the rob with the clevis.

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Crap, I busted my lower unti, help with fix (story)

Motor is 1971. I believe the H stands for a long shaft. A chrysler 35, 45 and 55 lower unit should work for this motor. I am not totally following your question. The bearing carriers are still available and it should come with a bearing and seal already attached. The shifter requires you to separate the lower and upper lower unit. YOu remove the prop shaft, clutch and gears and unscrew the pivot screw and it should come right out. What damage was done to the shift rod? Most of the parts for this is still available from mercury. If you need a gasket for the upper and lower unit let me know. I have an original one and make copies of it with gasket paper.