1985 Force 85 HP Lower Unit Not Going Back In

[ATrueFisherman]

Hello,
I just did a water pump on my 1985 Force 85 H.P. engine. I matched up all the parts and all is correct. I put it all together and then I start trying to put the lower unit back in the engine.... Well it gets up and then I cant get it go the last like 5 inches. I have anti seize on the spline. I have tried for 3 hours to get this thing in. Any ides? When I put the lower unit into gear and turn the crankshaft when the lower is as for up as I can get it the prop does not even turn.

Thank you for the help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1985 Force 85 HP Lower Unit Not Going Back In

What you need is most likely another pair of hands. It is quite easy to miss the crankshat and relatively difficult to mate the spline when you are manhandling 40 pounds. That coupled with the fact that the shaft is long and small movements at the lower unit are multiplied at the crankshaft can make it a frustrating experience.

You need to line up the drive shaft as close to vertical and centered as closely as possible in the leg, then you need to "feel" for the crankshaft snout. Mind you, while you are diong this yo also need to be aware that the water tube is lined up with the pump.

It is not a difficult task, but I must confess there have been ones that fought me all the way and took 1/2 hour to get properly aligned. But after you get the "feel" the next time should be easier.

 

[ATrueFisherman]

Re: 1985 Force 85 HP Lower Unit Not Going Back In

I have had another person come out and help me and turn the crankshaft while I hold the lower unit in place. I just does not want to go and I am running out of ideas. At this point I have working on the for 4 and a half hours. Are the splines indexed so that it can only go on in a certain way? I have turning the crank and the prop but it just does not want to go.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1985 Force 85 HP Lower Unit Not Going Back In

No, the splines can enter the crankshaft at any position on the clock. None are offset.

 

[Force 120]

Re: 1985 Force 85 HP Lower Unit Not Going Back In

I had the same experiencce at my first time to put the lower unit back to 1970 85 HP Chrysler ouboard. I took me 2 hrs with many tries. But the second time was a piece of cake (15 min.) First you have to let the end of
splines shaft touch snout then start moving it a back and forth slowly until you feel the hole. Then push the shaft in and turn the prop. to make the shaft mate with the splines.

 

[ATrueFisherman]

Re: 1985 Force 85 HP Lower Unit Not Going Back In

This I tried and I can feel the hole. When I put lots of pressure on the lower unit upwards and turn the prop I can feel it slipping on the crank splines. It even turns the flywheel a little bit. It does not matter how much pressure I put on the lower unit it just does not want to slip into the splines though. Ever happen to yall?