Driveshaft frozen to motor???

[azzir]

I had a problem with my 1976 75HP Chrysler on the water. It seemed to be overheating. I suspect the thermostat since water seemed to be spitting normally, but decided to check the water pump anyway since it has been years since I replaced it. After removing the 7 bolts holding the lower unit on (2 broke- 5 came out OK)and disconnecting the shift linkage, I can't get the unit to drop. The only thing I can imagine is that the driveshaft must be corroded and frozen into the powerhead. Can anyone confirm this as a possibility/probablity (there HAS been salt water use over the years), and more importanly, can anyone offer possible solutions? I have been attempting to separate the parts by prying with hammer and wedges. Is there a better way? Or should I just keep banging until it comes apart? Do I have a prayer? Is this old motor heading for the big lake in the sky? I'd certainly appreciate any help, and if you email your responses as well as post them here that would be even better-azzir@aol.com Thanks, Rick.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

I'm not familiar with your engine but... you must have a shift linkage or shaft that connects the engine to the lower unit. This must be disconnected to drop the lower unit.<br /><br />I don't think Chrysler ever had electric shift, but if it did, then you would have some wires to unhook.

 

[azzir]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

Thanks for the feedback. Of course I disconnected the shift linkage. I should have mentioned that in my post. I have made the correction. Thanks. Rick

 

[scotiany]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

This may seem a little extreme but, what about removing the entire motor leg-lower unit as 1 piece . The worst part of the job is taking that shock mount off. There should only be 8 screws or bolts attaching leg to powerhead and they're not too hard to get to. I've done it on my 1970 55hp and it wasn't that bad. The only question to me would be the powerhead exhaust gasket. But , they're still available.

 

[azzir]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

Thanks for the reply Scot. I went out and took a look to see if your suggestion might work. I counted 10 connections, 6 bolts down from the top, and 4 nuts apparently on studs under the leg. While some look easy enough to get at, most aren't, at least not with my limited tools. And even if I was able to remove all of them successfully, and clear the various linkages etc involved, if the driveshaft is still frozen into the bottom of the crank, the problem remains. So I am not going to go there, but I do thank you for your feedback. Rick

 

[scotiany]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

If you decide to go there, don't forget to remove the motor leg covers. Makes the job a whole lot easier. I don't believe the nuts have to be removed.

 

[azzir]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

I would be willing to bet money (and I am not a betting man) that if I tried to remove those covers the bolts would break. Besides, this still doesn't address the real problem of the driveshaft being stuck in the motor. Rick

 

[force01]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

Rick,<br />I have been in your situation before on customers engines, it sounds like your splines are frozen in the bottom of the crank shaft. after you try everything you can to get the gear box off get the sawsall out hopefully you have at least 1/8 inch between the gear case and the leg, cut the drive shaft right through the water pump housing, now you might be able to wiggle it around spray some penetrating oil up in to the splines of the crank shaft, if that doesnt work you have to pull the power head make a spacer that slides over the drive shaft and hits the end of the crank shaft and make a block assembly that bolts to the drive shaft and get a porta power out install it between the plate you made that sits on the end of the crank shaft and the block that you have attached to the drive shaft apply pressure with your ram and hit the other side of the drive shaft with a hammer and hopefully this will draw the splines out. i just went through this two weeks ago so it is still fresh in my mind. good luck, bret forceparts@yahoo.com

 

[azzir]

Re: Driveshaft frozen to motor???

Wow, Bret. Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately for me, I am just a humble boat owner with limited tools and experience and no shop, no hydraulics or even sawsall at hand. But at least you have confirmed for me my diagnosis of driveshaft frozen to the powerhead. I don't think I can handle that much of a repair on my own or in my backyard, particularly not if I had to pull the powerhead which I'm sure would be a major clusterf**k of frozen bolts and broken studs. I do happen to have a spare driveshaft laying around still attached to the pinion gear in an old lower unit housing, but I don't like the idea of tearing apart my gearbox, tho that I could do. Oh well. For the time being, I am just going to keep banging and prying and hoping and praying that the **** thing pops out. I used neverseize on all the bolts years ago, and 5 out of 7 came out OK, which I think is a pretty good score, but I never thought to put it on the top of the driveshaft! Live and learn. Thanks again, your knowledge and advice sounded solid. Can I ask a ball park figure for a repair like you described? Because if it comes to it, I will probably need to have it done or ditch the boat/motor. Rick- azzir@aol.com