removal of lower unit

[fishinAK]

so I was going to remove the lower unit last night to replace the h2o pump. I just recently bought this boat so Im not sure if or when the pump has ever been replaced. Anyway, I took out the four bolts (2 on either side) plus the one under the zinks. But that damn lower unit would not budge!<br /> Anybody know of any tricks to get this rascal off? I guess I should just give it the ol' rubber mallet treatment or wiggle the heck out of it but I dont want to break anyting.<br /> Those are the only bolts I need to remove right? I dont have to do anything w/ that little square side plates do I?<br /> I have the sealoc manual but it doesnt give specific directions for lower unit removal.<br /> oh ya...50hp 1996 Johnson.<br />Thanks in advance

 

[mmcmille]

Re: removal of lower unit

I just put one on a 70 HP evinrude and it had shifter linkage that had to be removed, it was almost right underneath the engine and a pain to get to. Shift the gears and watch for movement and you'll see it.

 

[red boat]

Re: removal of lower unit

fishinak, remove the torque tab and there is a bolt underneath it, and also remove the shifter linkage as mmcmille said

 

[mstrud]

Re: removal of lower unit

yeah that unit isnt going anywhere until the shift linkage is disconnected. put a bolt back in it before you disconnect the linkage so you wont impale your foot with the skeg when you getrundun. it's a ***** to get to, you might need to decarb, or take off the starter. you may have got this one already but there's another bolt up inside the unit above the cavitation plate. normally if you have gotten all the bolts but forgot about the shift linkage it will budge, just wont come off. not budging at all makes me think you may have missed a bolt. good luck, im fixin to drop the LU on my 93 50hp johny this mornin myself, i gotta rebuild the whole unit.

 

[5150abf]

Re: removal of lower unit

Pulled my lower 6 times last week (don't ask)
Pull the starter off(DISCONNECT BATTERY FIRST) and you will need a 1/4" ratchet and a long extension with a swivel, memory serves the bolt is an 11mm, as stated it is directly under the front of the motor,standing behind the motor it will be on the left side, once you pull the starter you will be able to see it.

you want to pull the bolt facing you, not the one facing the front of the boat and as stated put a bolt back in the lower to keep it from dropping.

I found a trick to reinstall the shift bolt, make sure the lower is in gear before you try to put it back up(pull the shift rod up)so you can align the drive shaft splines by turning the prop, pay special attention to the water pick up tube, i put some grease on mine to help it slide on, if you don't get that lined up you'll just be pulling it apart again, once you get it together to line up the shift rod and the hole there is a small break between the lower and mid on the front of the lower where you can get a pair of needle nose vise grips on the shift rod to raise/lower/turn it to help line the hole up.
it helps to have someone on the throttle to line it up.

Also put a little heavy oil or grease on the new impeller just in case you missed the pick up tube, this will keep you from smoking the new pump.

The shift rod is by far the worst part of this job, the needle nose trick really helps with this.
if you have any problem post again, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.

 

[F_R]

Re: removal of lower unit

Take all the bolts out. Two on each side, one big one forward of the one that holds the zink, and one that is accessed after removing the trim tab. Total 6.

 

[CBINMN]

Re: removal of lower unit

Old post '05

 

[5150abf]

Re: removal of lower unit

Hopefully he hads figured it out by now, opps