1966 6hp johnson housing

[gradyj35]

"I am attempting to change the impeller on my 1966 6hp johnson - first time attempting this. I have removed the lower unit attaching bolts and the unit dropped only slightly. I rotated the flywheel, like the service manual says, to align the pin in upper driveshaft. Now the flywheel does not rotate. Does that mean the pin is aligned? How do you tell, since it is hidden in the exhaust housing? The book says that the lower unit will drop 1 inch where I can then remove the bottom shift connector bolt.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1966 6hp johnson housing

Gradyj34..... The fact that you cannot turn the flywheel indicates that the pin in the top area of the driveshaft has indeed dropped down into its proper slot for removal of the lower unit.<br /><br />Have the engine in reverse gear. This will allow the unit to drop slightly more so that you can see the brass shift connector. There will be two 3/8" hex nuts retaining that connector, remove only one. This will allow one of the shift rods to be pulled out of the connector, which in turn allows the unit to drop away.<br /><br />When re-installing the unit, be sure to have the groove of the shift rod aligned perfectly with the hole in the brass shift connector to assure proper shifting.