remove gear box on 1988 Evinrude 28 hp E28ESLCCR dont see shift rod connector

[ksauerwald]

So I looked at the diagram.. watched a couple of videos and from what I can tell I should be able to either detach the gearbox from the bottom the extender or the extender. Then pull a part a bit and find the shift rod connector... but... I dont see it.. I just see the rod.. so do I need to detach it somewhere else ? somewhere lower or higher ? I just dont see it in either section.. just the rod

so more back story.. maybe you can point me where to look and maybe I dont need to take off the gear box.

once and a while when jumping waves in my little cougar cub with the 28 on there it would spin real free.. almost like we were getting air.. so I figured that what is was.. but last year that noise can back when doing nothing.. so I assume one of the gears is shot.. so do I just need to take apart the bottom gearcase where the prop is ? or take it all apart ?

and one more question... why would someone put a gearbox extension on a motor ? does it help pop out of water ? why is it a long shaft ? and should I take it out ?

 

[F_R]

Look on the side of the leg, about half way down. See that oval plate w/two screws? Remove it and the shift rod connector is behind it.

Long shaft motors are required on long shaft boats.

You probably were getting air---till you stripped the prop hub, which is now slipping.

It is NOT a gear.

 

[ksauerwald]

thanks a ton.. I see it.. so there are two bolts.. I Assume I want to loosen the bottom one and
then maybe give the bottom a pull or wack with dead blow hammer to make it come free ?
nothing else on there making it not fall off ?


and what would require long shaft ? just dependent on the boat ? I just wonder if whoever
had this last just put whatever motor was available on there.. this look like it needs
long shaft ? does it hurt performance at all ?

 

[flyingscott]

Your boat needs a shortshaft motor. So how high in the air were you to make the prop break free. Yoir boat probably has a longshaft on for that reason.

 

[ksauerwald]

couple feet.. but maybe we were not really getting air and it was just slipping when we came out of the water a bit ? if there is no performance issue.. I'll leave the extension in there for that reason... just wondered if I really needed it

 

[F_R]

Completely remove the lower bolt from the connector. Lower unit should then practically fall off. Warning: When you put it back together, use a flashlight to peer in there and make sure the notch in the rod is exactly aligned with the hole before inserting the bolt. Failure to do so will result in the bolt threads dragging on the edge of the notch, wiping the threads off the bolt. Then it will fall out at some inconvenient time.

That appears to be a tunnel hull, right? Shaft rules can go out the window in such special applications. The top of the tunnel is not the planing surface at high speed.

 

[ksauerwald]

yes open tunnel.. I found that oval plate and got the shift rod off and its free. So now that its off.. I'm trying to get the bottom off the gear box. Im using my hammer driver with slot bit but its not cutting it and damaging the bolt. Whats the best way to get these bolts out ? I wd40'd them and will try again in morning. I'm going to buy a larger slot bit so if fits the slot better but wasnt sure if there is a way to get a socket on it ? my standard ones dont fit in that slot to get on it.

any tips ? dont want to mess these up and have them drilled out or anything.

 

[F_R]

You ask for tips? Here's one. Put it back together. There is nothing wrong in there.

 

[ksauerwald]

actually I did drain it once and water came out.. so I was going to check the gaskets...

but if there is nothing wrong in the gearbox.. then what would make it spin free like that ?
you think the driveshaft is messed up ? Last time it was out they put it in gear and it just revved
up but the prop didnt spin.

 

[F_R]

Read this thread. Read it all the way to the end.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...hnson-evinrude-outboards/10594576-please-help

Then test your prop.

If it is not the prop, THEN you can start looking for busted parts.

 

[ksauerwald]

I'll check the Prop Sir !!

 

[ksauerwald]

so then side question.. if water did come out the lower gearbox at one point. I assume I have to take that apart and replace some gaskets ?

and if so what is best way to get those bolts off..

full story on gearbox.. I got the boat like 4 years ago.. ran it couple of years.. then went to change the lower
fluid and water came out.. filled up with oil again.. and ran it to see if it would happen again and the fluid is
fine when I just emptied it (year later but not many hours).. so should I just hope it doesnt happen again ? or open it up ?

 

[F_R]

Well, you probably do have a leaking seal somewhere. Let's hope it hasn't caused damage to show up as your present problem(??)

Without re-reading this entire thread, didn't you say you had a "steel" screwdriver? I took that to mean a hand impact screwdriver. That is the tool to use to get those screws out. The bit rotates when you whack it with a hammer. It WILL remove them. No self-respecting outboard mechanic would be without one.

 

[ksauerwald]

I'll have to pick one up.. I was using impact driver... electric type.. trust me I'm no mechanic..

thanks again.. and I did order a new prop.

 

[F_R]

Ah, I see. It is nearly impossible to keep the bit in the slot with an air or electric impact wrench vibrating around. With the type tool I suggested, the hammer blow forces the bit deep into the slot and applies torque at the same time.

 

[ksauerwald]

I'll give it a try... so if I do get it off..and I take a look.. what do you think might be the culprit ? which part would
leak if its not evidently noticeable ?