lower unit oil change question

[duey19]

i am attempting my first lower unit oil change on a 1963 johnson 40HP seahorse.
i have drained it as the manual describes. i have filled it as the manual desribes. i have installed the top screw.
now i am having trouble getting the lower screw back in. the lower screw is about an inch in length with threads only on about the 1/4" nearest the head of the screw.
There seems to be something blocking the screw just beyond the threaded section in the lower unit.
I am not sure what i have done wrong.
Any thoughts?

 

[eavega]

Re: lower unit oil change question

Ooooo... Are you sure you took out the drain screw and not the shift pivot screw? There shouldn't be anything in front of the drain screw, and I haven't seen any extra extension on the drain screw on the outboards I have worked on. The shifter pivot pin fits what you are describing, though. That one may be tricky to get back in. You need to look at a blow-up of your gearcase so you can visualize how that fits back in there. Good luck.

-Eric

 

[duey19]

Re: lower unit oil change question

Oops.
Live and learn i guess.
am i correct to assume that i will be dropping the lower unit an exploring the gearcase?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: lower unit oil change question

You took out the phillips head screw, didn't you?
It's easier to get back in of you take off the lower end, lay it on its side, and use a pointy awl or small screwdriver to try to get the hole aligned again.

 

[duey19]

Re: lower unit oil change question

it was the phillips. i guess that will teach me for skimming the manual.
Thanks for your help. i just dropped the lower end, layed it on its side and back in it went.

Thanks again

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: lower unit oil change question

you got extremely lucky. most are not that lucky.


Changing lower unit oil

There are 2 straight slot screw on the starboard side of the lower unit. Top is vent plug, bottom, drain and fill plug. ( do not touch Phillips head screw).

Remove the bottom plug, put container under lower unit, now remove the vent plug, while the oil is draining, replace the seals on the plugs part # 311598, buy several of these, ( they are a one time use item)

Walmart and many places sell a little hand pump. To use to fill the unit, you insert the tube into the bottom hole, and pump till oil reaches the vent hole. Install the vent screw, then remove hose, install the drain-fill screw, clean up mess.

The screws can be hard to get out, do not mess up the head. You may need to employ an impact screw driver to break them loose.