1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

[thord]

I am new and my uncle gave me an old boat and I am going to clean her up, replace seals and gaskets etc in lower unit. i am trying to remove the lower unit and it appears that the drive shaft will not come loose. the lower unit has come down about an inch, but will not come loose. I have been spraying it with liquid wrench and little it sit, but nothing. I have a manual but it simply says remove the lower unit. Can anyone help me with this? thanks in advance

 

[freddyray21]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

have you taken the shift linkage loose. There is a diamond shaped cover on the side of the leg with two screws holding it on. Take it off. On that model there may be a second cover, but under is the shift linkage. Only take out one of the bolts/screws and it should come out.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

Agreed, it sounds like the shift rod disconnect isn't. If the drive shaft were stuck, it wouldn't come down that far. Besides, due to the way that motor is designed, it would be pretty rare to find a stuck drive shaft.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

Support the LU while you disconnect the shift linkage as stated by others...it's heavy and can hurt your feet if they get in the way when it comes/drops off.

 

[thord]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

thanks guys,

i removed the shift screw by the prop, but did not open the cover on the side. i will do it tonight.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

oh noooo no no no no no


u removed the philip head screw form the lower unit right by the prop?!?!?!? thats bad bad bad bad


u better not move the shifter or u might have to take the whole lower unit apart and thats a hassle. u need to do what we say here cause its the right way and we have expoerienc eon these motors.

now the u theres 2 plates on the side of the motor on the middle cover part. take them both off. then remove the bottom screw once ur inside the exhaust area and ur lower unit should drop sicne u diengaged the rod

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

thanks guys,

i removed the shift screw by the prop, but did not open the cover on the side. i will do it tonight.

Put the Phillips screw back in if you can and loosen the shift shaft as described. You might see the shift lever moving as you try to wiggle the lower unit loose if the linkage is still catching.
If you can't get the screw back in you'll have to take the gear case apart to align the parts inside. It's not a big deal, just another lesson to learn.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

lol id be mad at myself if i did that cause i never taken a lower unit apart before but i never had a reason too

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1960 40 hp Lark lower unit stuck

the phillips screw holds the shift yoke, when the screw is taken out it is very hard to realign. it can be done.