1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

[newtoengines]

Yes I am going to get the service manual soon but wondering if I can get some help before then. I just got this motor and have not even tried to start it yet. I was told I needed to top off the lower unit oil before doing so and I thought I remembered how the guy who sold me the motor told me how to do it but apparently not. There is an oil level screw and then above it there is a recessed little hole that I thought was the fill hole. I tried to squirt oil into both holes but neither seemed to take it, so for some reason I took out the bolt near the prop that is about an inch long the first part not threaded and then there are some threads, if I remember right from the video I watched about lower units this may have been the one that holds the shifting linkage together because it won't just go back in.

How bad is it going to be getting that bolt back in? Do I have to take the whole lower unit apart to do so? Tips? What was I doing wrong trying to fill the lower unit oil, do I have to use some sort of pressured oil gun and not just the bottle from the store? Need more info?

 

[F_R]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

Yes I am going to get the service manual soon but wondering if I can get some help before then. I just got this motor and have not even tried to start it yet. I was told I needed to top off the lower unit oil before doing so and I thought I remembered how the guy who sold me the motor told me how to do it but apparently not. There is an oil level screw and then above it there is a recessed little hole that I thought was the fill hole. I tried to squirt oil into both holes but neither seemed to take it, so for some reason I took out the bolt near the prop that is about an inch long the first part not threaded and then there are some threads, if I remember right from the video I watched about lower units this may have been the one that holds the shifting linkage together because it won't just go back in.

How bad is it going to be getting that bolt back in? Do I have to take the whole lower unit apart to do so? Tips? What was I doing wrong trying to fill the lower unit oil, do I have to use some sort of pressured oil gun and not just the bottle from the store? Need more info?

First you need to get that pivot screw back in. I assume the oil is now drained out? Use a flashlinght and an ice pick or something to try to get the lever inside aligned with the hole. If you can get it almost, but not quite aligned, file or grind the end of the pivot screw to an angle and stick the pointyend in the hole and rotate it to align the parts and push it on in. Avoid moving the gearshift lever while the pin is out. It may help to turn the motor upside down so gravity works for you.

The drain screw is a big flat headed straight screwdriver slotted plug just like the upper one. It is on the bottom of the gearcase, just forward of the skeg.

Both plugs out, insert the fill tube or pump in the bottom hole and add oil till it comes out the top. Then keeping the tube in the bottom hole, replace the top plug. Then quickly remove the tube and replace the bottom plug.

It takes more than one tube of oil, meaning you have to change tubes in mid stream. Better to buy a quart of oil and the handly little pump accessory to fit it. That makes life much easier.

Good luck.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

If that motor is mechanical shift, there is a phillips head screw near the skeg that allows the shift cradle to pivot. You want to leave that in place, unless you are repairing the gearcase. If this is the one you removed, try to use an ice pick or nail to line up the shift cradle with the hole. You may need to wiggle the shift handle to get it to work.

You should drain the gear lube and replace it, rather than top it off. Remove the slotted-head vent and fill screws. The vent screw is above the antiventilation plate, if I remember correctly. The drain screw is on the bullet shaped part of the gearcase, in the front. Let the gear oil drain completely. Now purchase a quart of Marie mechanical shift gear oil and insert the nozzle into the bottom (drain) hole and fill it until it comes out the top vent hole. Replace the vent screw and then quickly replace the drain screw. Tighten both securely.

 

[newtoengines]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

THANKS! got the pivot screw back in, took a few tries but got it in, ended up using 2 pieces of stiff wire to move it around till it was lined up and then i tried to quick take them out and put the screw in but not quick enough, then i remembered about putting it into gear so once i had the hole lined up i put it in gear and it stayed in place and then i just put the screw in, thats a relief, i will look for the pump accessory when i go out today and fill up the lower unit oil, thanks for your replies i really appreciate it!

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

I just did this on a 64 big twin 40 on Saturday. The threads on the bottom phillips screw are smaller than the vent screw up top. My adapter would only screw into the vent thread and not the bottom, my 83 v4 has the same size thread top and bottom and fills from the bottom. Does anyone else recollect this?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

I just did this on a 64 big twin 40 on Saturday. The threads on the bottom phillips screw are smaller than the vent screw up top. My adapter would only screw into the vent thread and not the bottom, my 83 v4 has the same size thread top and bottom and fills from the bottom. Does anyone else recollect this?

Don't take out the phillips head screw! It is not the oil drain screw; it's for the shift mechanism and is a real bear to get back into alignment if the internal mechanism moves when the pivot screw is taken out. The bottom drain screw (slot head) is there, just look for it.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

Don't take out the phillips head screw! It is not the oil drain screw; it's for the shift mechanism and is a real bear to get back into alignment if the internal mechanism moves when the pivot screw is taken out. The bottom drain screw (slot head) is there, just look for it.

As has already been explained, the drain screw is on the bottom, forward of the skeg. Hunker down and look up and you will see it. They put that phillips head on the pivot screw so you wouldn't be removing it.

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

I'm going to go and look at it

 

[bktheking]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

Yup, drain screw is completely hidden down at the bottom , I guess I got lucky as the phillips screw went back in without issue. I guess I will have to redo this one as not all of the bad oil was removed, correct? Didn't mean to point in the wrong direction or highjack a thread, just want to make sure it's done right.

After looking at the everything, wouldn't draining the oil from that pin being removed serve the same as the drain plug?

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1961 40HP Evinrude filling lower unit oil

Yes it will drain the lower unit, but you got lucky putting it back in. People have fought replacing the pivot screws for hours trying to get it in.