Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

[Libertad]

Well I removed the 5 bolts that attaches my lower gear case to the upper gear case on my 1983 OMC stringer outdrive. I can not seem to pull the lower from the upper. It wont even budge. I tried using a rubber mallet but don't want to damage anything. Is there anything I am not doing right or is there some special technique I can do to break the lower from the upper gear case.

I am doing this in order to change the impeller.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

On your style of drive, you don't normally drop the lower like that.
You remove the whole drive from the boat.
Then you simply take the lid off the exhaust housing and lift the upper out.
(Kinda like doing a C-section)

Those bolts you took out shoulda stayed in place.
The exhaust housing (outer casing of the drive) stays with the lower.

Have a read of the manual. It will show you how to undo your shift cable and then remove the drive.

If you really want to work on a moving target upside down, you can carry on the path you are on I suppose. I never really take those exhaust housings off except to throw them in the scrap bin, but my memory says 6 bolts. ...I think you need to remove the bolt through the zinc anode if the drive is post 1981.... certainly there is one in front of the trim tab at least. And one through the trim tab.
The problem is, those housings seize so tight to the lower, you can't tell what's bolted and whats corroded, and that's when people start beating and breaking aluminum.

I recommend removing the drive the way the manual shows. Then you can flip the upper upside down on a nice solid bench and work on the water pump.

 

[Libertad]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

Thanks for the reply Howard Sterndrive. That seems like the right way to do it and I will review the manual to see how it is done. Should I put anything on those bolts when I put them back in? Do they need to be torqued to a certain spec (I guess the manual may tell me that)?

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[futz]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

have a table or a large cooler or chair ready on the port side.

on a trailer lower the bow as far as it will go, and raise the drive 1/2 the way up.

Remove the very top bolts, and the exhaust and the lower will come down. place it on the table and tie it to the swim platform. be carefull of the cable don't pull on it plenty of play in the cable.

remove the 4 bolts facing u in the upper drive from the bottom and the whole waterpump and shaft will come out. you could raise the drive a little more to make it easy, i sit on a milk crate when i pull the pump.

Copied and pasted from another post i replied to

No need to remove the entire drive from the boat. Above is a copy and paste from 2 other posts i replied to. If all you want to do is replace the water pump impeller or check the shafts, then this is what i recommend.

 

[Libertad]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

have a table or a large cooler or chair ready on the port side.

on a trailer lower the bow as far as it will go, and raise the drive 1/2 the way up.

Remove the very top bolts, and the exhaust and the lower will come down. place it on the table and tie it to the swim platform. be carefull of the cable don't pull on it plenty of play in the cable.

remove the 4 bolts facing u in the upper drive from the bottom and the whole waterpump and shaft will come out. you could raise the drive a little more to make it easy, i sit on a milk crate when i pull the pump.

Copied and pasted from another post i replied to

No need to remove the entire drive from the boat. Above is a copy and paste from 2 other posts i replied to. If all you want to do is replace the water pump impeller or check the shafts, then this is what i recommend.

Thanks again for the tip and it did work. I snapped one of the 4 top bolts and had to drill it out but the lower gear case did come down nicely. Now I am having a problem removing the pump housing from the upper gear case. Any tips on how to knock it loose? The 4 bolts have been removed but the housing does not want to come out.

 

[Libertad]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

Got the pump housing off and the bearing housing came with it.

 

[futz]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

it's supposed to and it goes back in the same way all one piece.

What manual you using? make sure you put the impeller in with the tips going the correct way.

Use permetex around the whole pump, bolt holes etc.

 

[Libertad]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

it's supposed to and it goes back in the same way all one piece.

What manual you using? make sure you put the impeller in with the tips going the correct way.

Use permetex around the whole pump, bolt holes etc.

I am using the clymer stern drive shop manual 1964-1986.

Now I am having a problem getting the shaft off that holds the impeller plate and impeller. I will take a pic of it and show you what i am talking about.

is permetex like locktite?

 

[cr2k]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

If you got the 4 big bolts out it should come out, but sometimes they rust/corrode in there especially someone left out the little rubber ring that prevents this.

 

[futz]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

can you get it in a vice? yes or no ?

I recommend a new housing, not just a impeller kit.

That pump has not been apart in a long while. every 3-4 years tops it should come out the splines greased and a new impeller and housing.

 

[Libertad]

Re: Removing the lower gearcase (frustrated)

Well mission accomplished! I only had to tap the water pump housing from the bearing housing a few times with a screwdriver and hammer and it came loose.

Futz thanks a million for all the advice!

Did all the tests and water was pumping great.