Rookie mistake... reinstallation of lower end

[EricT22]

Alpha one gen 1

first time boat owner here so i was replacing the water pump and impeller. I forgot to put the drive in forward before removing the lower end so now i am trying to reinstall the lower end and cant get it back up. What do i need to do now? TIA

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Is the upper 1/2 of the outdrive unit still on the boat ?

Typically the entire unit is pulled ( while in forward to prevent shift shaft damage / the 1/2's are separated after making note of shift shaft travel pattern & Position// and aligning the shift shaft at reassembly to match its original position.

A pressure test is a good idea before assembling the drive onto the boat and or re-adding the oil to ensure the seals are working as intended after the " Surgery".

 

[EricT22]

I did not remove the whole drive just the lower unit so the upper unit is still on the boat

 

[EricT22]

This is as far as I can get the lower unit back on

 

[achris]

No problem with removing the lower with it in neutral, but you'll have problems putting it back on in neutral...

Here's want you need to do. Drop the lower back off. Move the remote control to forward. Check and if necessary, move the intermediate shift shaft to the forward position (straight ahead). You may have to move it because without the lower in position, it can do out of contact with the upper shift shaft. Now, on the lower housing turn the propshaft CCW (reverse) while turning the shift shaft CW, until it locks in forward gear. Making sure the drive doesn't slip out of forward, join it up with the upper...

Chris....

 

[EricT22]

Took the upper unit off and got it all back together as one. Not the end of the world as if gives me a chance to check out some other things. U-joints seem good and gimbal bearing spins freely. There are a few other things i have questions on though with pics i will load. There seems to be a bit of oil in the bottom of the drive bellow and grease as well. Anything to be concerned about? Also where the water goes though the bell housing there was some clear gel like substance. I assume its from oil and water mixing but why would it be there?

 

[EricT22]

[No message]

 

[Bt Doctur]

post 6 oil in the bellow may be a leaking carrier seal Replace with National 712250
Post 7 sometimes the A/F used in winterizing leaves a gel like substance

 

[EricT22]

Thanks I’ll check into it.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

It seems your making good progress

Were you able to Pressure test the drive after assembly ??? Best way to ensure no drive oil leaks and in turn preserve your drive.

 

[EricT22]

I have not yet. I’m looking into how to do that now. So any tips are appreciated. New gasket won’t be here for a couple days yet

 

[achris]

Look in the stickies. There's a thread there for making up pressure/vacuum testers...

 

[EricT22]

So i got everything back together and pressure tested and everything seems good as far as that goes. Next problem.... went to put the prop back on and it doesn’t seem to lock???? So where did i mess up this time? Hopefully an easy fix and I don’t have to drop the drive again

 

[Bt Doctur]

You didnt explain exactly how you assembled it so.........................
support lower unit in stand
turn splined shaft fully clockwise while turning prop CCW till locked
lower upper unit making sure the brass shoe engages the splined shaft and it is in a straight line , this it F

 

[EricT22]

So the prop shaft must not have been properly locked when I put it back together. Now that I have it reassembled and back on the boat with gear oil back in it I assume I will have to pull it apart and reassemble again? Is there an risk of running the engine so I can finish winterizing it with the way it is? I don’t want to ruin the gears or anything

 

[Bt Doctur]

You can winterize with the drive off, just stick a cut end of a washing machine hose in the inlet

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Very Hard to say without more details -- Are you saying that the shift shafts were not aligned properly at assembly ? If that's the case are you saying neutral , fwd and reverse are not being engaged when expected?

as in upper Shift shaft points straight forward towards bow when the drive is in forward gear (when assembled ) properly.

As you may be aware -- the prop should turn 1 way and ratchet the other way when in gear // and spin both ways when in neutral.

That said if all else is working --running the engine should not hurt anything -- assuming a water supply is setup etc // Running in neutral is however safer -- stay well away from any spinning propeller and ensure nothing enters its path.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I would avoid any chance of messing up the drive. I'd run the engine with the drive off as BTDoctur suggests.

 

[wellcraft-classic210]

Yes -- agreed -- lowest risk -- Ignore what I said above ---too many unknowns

 

[EricT22]

Thanks for the advice guys I will pull the drive back off and start over to make sure it is done properly. In the mean time I will winterize the engine with the drive off. I assume I can use a garden hose with the end cut off for the water supply or no?