lower and upper drive units

[hellerfishing]

I am having problems getting the lower unit to meet up with the upper unit. It gets real close to fitting, but will not mesh up. I also need to know how to figure out where the shifter should be pointed. <br /><br />Newbie, struggling with boat repair.

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: lower and upper drive units

Could you tell us what drive you have ?

 

[hellerfishing]

Re: lower and upper drive units

Sorry about that,<br />It is a 1979 Mercruiser, 898

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: lower and upper drive units

If it is a merc, such as the Alpha one, the boat control should be in forward, the upper shift linkage should be straight forward and the lower ingaged in forward. When mating the lower to the upper, there are three things that have to line up, the shaft, the water tube and the shift shaft.

 

[hellerfishing]

Re: lower and upper drive units

I think it might be on the shift shaft, but it could also be on the drive shaft. I cannot turn the drive shaft now that I have replaced the impeller on the water pump.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: lower and upper drive units

Waterone1 has it right, you just need more leverage to turn the shaft. Try slidig the prop on to turn it. Do not force the parts together! They will go easily when you have the right alignment...J

 

[hellerfishing]

Re: lower and upper drive units

I appreciate your advice. I will attempt to do this. Could you tell me if there is only one way for the shift shaft to line up, or if I need to aline them in any special fashion.<br /><br />thanks for your help.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: lower and upper drive units

When the lower unit is in foreward, the shaft will be right. You will have to look up in there to make sure they engage properly....J