Help with stuck lower unit

[Fishermark]

I am trying to remove the lower unit on my Alpha 1, (Gen 1). I removed the five nuts and one bolt under the trim tab. I think I have all the bolts and nuts off but it wont budge. It obviously hasn't been removed in awhile. I have seen tips on removing a stuck outdrive... but what about just the lower unit? Any suggestions? (I want to put a new impeller in).

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Help with stuck lower unit

hello<br /> the corrosion around the holes that the studs pass through are holding it. I use oxy/acetylene to assist. along with some wooden oak wedges. <br /> althoug I did have to beat one off some time ago. a friend made a mallet out of a pice of oak log about 10" in diameter and about 1 1/2 feet long. in the center he bored a 2" hole and attached a handle for a grubbing hoe. took almost 6 hours but we managed to get it apart without destroying anything. but it was the biggest dead blow mallet I ever used. looked like a paul bunyon special .but without oxy/acetylene your most likly not gonna make it if its a saltwater unit and has not seen its periodic maint.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Help with stuck lower unit

Thanks Rodbolt, that's what I was afraid of. Yes, it is salt water. Great stuff huh? <br /><br />I do have an acetelyne torch (the red wrench ) I was hoping to avoid that... but will break it out tomorrow if necessary. I have sprayed it good with some PB Blaster (will probably do no good) and have beat it with a big rubber mallet. I may need to make a similar Paul Bunyon Special! <br /><br />By the way, my boat is one of those you mentioned that has the raw water pump on the block with a thru hull pick up. The lower unit water pump is simply routed back through the transom. I have never bothered replacing the impeller, but I recently noticed that very little water is going out through my transom, so I figured it was time to replace it. I know there are differrences of opinion as to whether or not it is even necessary, but Mercruiser seems to think it is.... so I will "heat things up" tomorrow!

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Help with stuck lower unit

Fish, email me ejdsr251@aol.com

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Help with stuck lower unit

fishermark<br /> I have several out there like that.<br /> some have an impeller and some donmt. no real noticable difference in the gear oil, however I prefer the ones with an impeller that just discharge the lower unit water back over board. pb may or may not work, just be aware that it burns . be careful using the two center nuts as jacking screws. while they can be used to put pressure on the unit if you get to wild it can break the upper.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Help with stuck lower unit

be careful using the two center nuts as jacking screws

Success! <br /><br />I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't think of using the two center nuts as "jacking screws" - but that's what made the difference. I used some heat and put a block of scrap aluminum between the nuts and the upper unit and tightened away! Ironically the area that seemed to be the most stuck was the little line up "stud" back by the trim tab.<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for your help. Now it's off to the marina for a water pump kit.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Help with stuck lower unit

BT Doctur - you have mail!