1976 Evinrude 55 hp lower unit will not come off!

[yanks21]

Hi All.
Coworkers 8 year old threw throttle from full forward to full reverse. Obviously, no froward no reverse now. trying to pull the lower unit off, and it seems to be hung up forward of the prop. It will not pull loose. Prop turns by hand, I didn't forget to release the bell crank...any ideas??

 

[yanks21]

After close inspection, the drive shaft might be rusted to the crank. Currently have the car+trailer/boat/motor+ come-along+tree tension on it. lots of PB blaster, and waiting....

 

[F_R]

Are you SURE you have all the bolts out? Rusted shaft splines are a possibility, but kind of uncommon on that motor.

 

[racerone]

Removed the hidden bolt under the trim tab ?

 

[yanks21]

I looked under the trim tab, and there is no bolt there. The lower unit will pivot a bit, left to right, with the largest arc at the trim tab end. The forward-mid section seams to be the one thats stuck. right about where the shaft is.

 

[F_R]

Sounds like the drive shaft splines then.

 

[mlaajanen]

I just removed from my Johnson 55 1980 and its was 6 screws + the gearchange mechanism. One UNDER(thye trimtab need to be removed to see it) the trimtab and one just forward of it + the 2 on each side.

If all are loose, try use a wodden piece and hammar on the lower unit.

 

[yanks21]

i was afraid of that, any good ideas on getting the shaft to let go?

 

[jakedaawg]

If you are certain that the shift shaft is disconnected try useimg wooden wedges.

 

[fireman57]

I bet you haven't unhooked the shift shaft, much different than the drive shaft.

 

[fireman57]

Don't remember if that one unhooks under the front of the engine or has a plate on the midsection.

 

[boobie]

The shift linkage disconnects underneath the lower carb.

 

[yanks21]

Can't seem to upload pics, but I am certain I haven't missed a bolt. I did disconnect (and remove) the bell crank for the shift linkage. Motor is model 55673E if that helps.
I'll have to try the wedges unless anyone knows of a different trick.

 

[fireman57]

Time and lots of PB blaster sprayed up there every day.

 

[yanks21]

Well, we got some chisels, and hung the motor upsidedown, sprayed it, and worked it off. Now to find out just how bad the gearcase is...

 

[yanks21]

Update: did you know... If you use a puller with standard arms on the carrier housing, you will bend it. Anyone know a good motor graveyard?

 

[jimmbo]

The carrier shouldn't require a lot of effort to slide out, unless the gear housing is out of round because of an impact. Or the bolts holding it to the retainer weren't all removed

I guess the lesson learned is, Don't let other people drive your boat. Are the brats parents helping with the repairs?

 

[yanks21]

Jimmbo,
Got all 3 bolts out. No impact that I'm aware of. I guess I need a puller with straighter arms. The curved ones I have want to press in toward the shaft when I tighten the puller. Thought about using a flywheel puller, but no one makes 1/4-28 fine thread bolts or all thread long enough. Sometimes having the right tools is the answer. Oh and yeah, the parent has offered to pay some. No good deed goes unpunished.