1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

1506cmo18

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I was out for a boat ride, motor was working excellent until I was driving then it just kicked out of gear. I thought something was wrong in the lower unit. I took it a part today to discover the drive shaft broke off in the lower unit right above the splines.

Is there a way of removing it without taking the power head off? If so can someone give me some steps to doing it?

thanks
Chris
 

Cofe

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

Just need a little clarification.
Did the drive shaft break where it goes into the power head, or where it goes into the gear box?
 

Cofe

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

Ok, Thanks for clarifying.

The drive shaft that is in the lower unit, will come out once you dissemble the water pump.

If the drive shaft is still in the power head, you should be able to pull down on it and it will slide out on it's splines.

Ebay sometimes has some good deals on drive shafts. Hope this helps you out.
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

I have the the lower unit all off so there is just a drive shaft showing. I put a slide hammer on it today and it wouldn't come out...How do you take a part the impeller at the top? Something is holding the drive shaft in there
 

Tim Frank

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

I have the the lower unit all off so there is just a drive shaft showing. I put a slide hammer on it today and it wouldn't come out...How do you take a part the impeller at the top? Something is holding the drive shaft in there

I tried to do this without the manual and came really close to ruining the lower unit.
Get yourself a manual ASAP.

Also, drive shafts don't usually just "break". Anything else happen? If you just throw in a new drive shaft, you may be doing this again next week,
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

I have a manual, but it says nothing about the driveshaft


The drive shaft was welded before I believe causing a week point
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

Can some one help me in the mean time?

Some instructions to removing the driveshaft?

thks
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

Can anyone help me out? Or show me where I can find information on how to removal the driveshaft?
 

Daviet

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

As I read it, the driveshaft broke at the splines below the water pump, remove the water pump and it will expose the broken shaft and you can remove it.
The other end of the drive shaft is stuck in the powerhead,correct?
About the only short of pulling the powerhead is turning the engine upside down and dribbling penatrating oil down the shaft into the splines at the powerhead. Keep working it around until it breaks loose.
Make sure the o-ring is on the top of new shaft, supposed to keep water out of the splines.
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

Yes you are correct the drive shaft broken below the water, and is stuck in at the top.


Ill try the lubricant method, I just wanted to make sure I wasn't breaking anything

Thank You,
Chris
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

I got a new shaft however now it won't stay in the head. Does anyone knowif there's a clip to hold it in?

When the motor is upside down it works perfect. When its up right it doesn't work.
 

Daviet

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

The drive shaft is not supposed to stay in the head. It is assembled into the lower unit and installed as a complete assembley.
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

Would that matter? Its still not staying in the head when up right.

I never took the waterpump apart when I took the old one out. Is there something in the water pump that would hold it?
 

Daviet

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

The key in the water pump impeller will hold it in place. You need to remove the water pump and check it for damage.
The driveshaft is not retained in the crankshaft, if you pull the lower unit the drive shaft should drop down with the lower unit. The only thing that holds the drive shaft into the crankshaft is the bolts holding the lower unit on.
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

Ok cause right now the shaft just slides through the waterpump assembly, and does not hook in to anything.

Even when I first removed the driveshaft it slid right out of the waterpump. Is there an actual key that I have to put in?
 

1506cmo18

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

And you think that keyway will hold the shaft in place?
 

tx1961whaler

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Re: 1973-74 40hp evinrude driveshaft removal

You're making this harder than it really is. :)
The driveshaft goes down into the gearcase pinion gear. There is a keyway that the water pump impeller slides over that turns the impeller. Then the water pump housing bolts on. After all of this, you now have the whole assembled gearcase assembly ready to slide up into the midsection and powerhead. Don't pull the drive shaft out of this assembly again. Align the water tube into the water pump housing grommet, line up the shift rod, and hopefully the other end of the driveshaft will mate up with the powerhead.
 
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