Disconnect Steering from 55hp 1978 Evinrude

[Cyclones]

Over the summer I had my boat in for engine problems at my local marina. They left it in pieces and still have the lower unit connected to the transom. I'm going to be moving in the next month and would like to disconnect what's left connected to the transom and just lie it down inside the boat for the 3 day trip across country. I've undone the bolts holding it to the transom but it's the steering I can't seem to figure out. There's one black cable connected to the motor with one nut on it that I just can't seem to move. I noticed that it says "Caution" on the nut but I'm not sure what for. Here's some pics of how it looks now.

Thanks for any help you guys can give to me. on this

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Disconnect Steering from 55hp 1978 Evinrude

in your situation you are going to have to remove the motor leg and support it. that shaft has to come straight out. it is probably rusted some inside the tilt tube, using a block of wood, preferable oak, place block on then of shaft, and drive out with a hammer. then use a long rod to drive it all the way thru. if you mushroom the end of the shaft, it will have to be cut of, as it will not go thru the tube.

 

[Cyclones]

Re: Disconnect Steering from 55hp 1978 Evinrude

Thanks for the quick reply.

Doesn't the nut connecting the black cable to the motor have to be disconnected first. That's the one that I can't get to turn off.

When turning the steering wheel, the rod does go back and forth inside the tube. Could it still be rusted if it's moving?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Disconnect Steering from 55hp 1978 Evinrude

the nut in the left picture must be completely loosened, it may not move back due to the bend in the cable. there is a strain on the cable until you move the leg around to get the cable straight.

 

[Cyclones]

Re: Disconnect Steering from 55hp 1978 Evinrude

Ok, I get what you mean. I just figured that I'd be able to turn that nut at least a little as it sits but I guess that the pressure from the bend is keeping it from turning at all. I just keep stripping the nut. I'll give that a shot.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Disconnect Steering from 55hp 1978 Evinrude

are you turning it the right way try a pipe wrench

 

[Cyclones]

Re: Disconnect Steering from 55hp 1978 Evinrude

Fantastic, picked up a pipe wrench last night and it worked like a charm. now I just have to find a way to straighten the cable and support the motor at the same time to remove it from the motor. It doesn't help that it's about -14F with the windchill today. 2 days ago it more like -30. Wrong time of year to be moving.