1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

[sjenson1]

Hi all,

I just purchased a 1996 bass boat with a Tracker by Mercury Marine Force 120 hp motor. I have read through the step-by-step sticky impeller instructions on the forum, but I still have a couple of questions that hopefully someone can help me with. I have never done my own impeller change on any of my past boats, but I am fairly handy mechanically. As I was looking at my shift rod on the backside of the outboard leg, I can see where is goes up into the cylinder that leads up to the engine compartment. I cannot see a cotter pin there anywhere. I just comes down from the cylinder opening and goes straight into the lower unit. It looks like there are some splines visible just as the rod enters the lower unit. Most of the instructions on these forums state that there is a cotter pin that needs to be removed before the lower unit will come off. Also, when I get the lower unit off, is there a gasket between the lower unit and the leg casing that I will need to replace? I haven't seen anyone mention anything about this, but I don't understand how water is kept out of the casing if there isn't a gasket. Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[emoney]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

Not totally sure about your 120, but I do know that the 'cotter pin' was on
the smaller motors, like my 50. Someone will come and answer the question
definitively, however, I wanted to add that I changed out my own impeller, and
then the lower unit, I've never done one ounce of engine repair of any
type. So, it's not too daunting of a task, otherwise I couldn't have handled it.

As for the 'seal'; again, on my little 50hp, there's no seal between the lower
unit and the middle leg section. There is, of course, a seal on the water
pump itself, which you'll be removing to get to the impeller. On a lot of these
motors there are two, one of which is actually a stainless plate that you
should be able to reuse. My instance didn't even use anything but
the plate.

Reread that sticky because I thought there were exclusive instructions for
the 120, but my memory may be failing me and I;m too lazy to reread it
myself, lol. I do know that in some motors, there's no cotter pin and once all
the bolts are removed (including the elusive 'hidden one' beneath the snout),
a steady rubber mallet finishes the job. Good luck!

 

[grneop]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

Not totally sure about your 120, but I do know that the 'cotter pin' was on
the smaller motors, like my 50. Someone will come and answer the question
definitively, however, I wanted to add that I changed out my own impeller, and
then the lower unit, I've never done one ounce of engine repair of any
type. So, it's not too daunting of a task, otherwise I couldn't have handled it.

As for the 'seal'; again, on my little 50hp, there's no seal between the lower
unit and the middle leg section. There is, of course, a seal on the water
pump itself, which you'll be removing to get to the impeller. On a lot of these
motors there are two, one of which is actually a stainless plate that you
should be able to reuse. My instance didn't even use anything but
the plate.

Reread that sticky because I thought there were exclusive instructions for
the 120, but my memory may be failing me and I;m too lazy to reread it
myself, lol. I do know that in some motors, there's no cotter pin and once all
the bolts are removed (including the elusive 'hidden one' beneath the snout),
a steady rubber mallet finishes the job. Good luck!

I have a 97 force 120hp, same as your engine and emoney is right, no 'cotter pin' and no 'seal' between the lower unit and the middle leg section.

 

[sjenson1]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

Thanks for the replies guys. So, if there is no cotter pin, then the lower unit should just come right off after I removed the bolts right?

 

[anple]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

Hello,
I have a 97 Force 120. I'm not sure if it's similar to yours. I have attempted to change the water impeller myself but unsuccessful. I just couldn't remove the Lower Unit. I am attaching an image of the lower unit with removed bolts that are marked in white. There were 5 bolts I attempted to remove. What am I missing? Thanks - Anthony

 

[emoney]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

I think you're missing bolts under the trim tab, re look at the sticky because
I think it's addressed there.

OP, the sticky talked about using a rubber mallet to free the lower unit.
Evidently it WILL come down, just takes some serious effort.

 

[sjenson1]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

Yep, that's the same lower unit as mine. I agree with emoney. Everyone seems to say that there are a total of 6 bolts. You are probably missing one under the trim tab. I haven't gotten my new impeller in the mail yet, so I haven't gotten around to removing the lower unit yet.

 

[John Peterson]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

Anthony,
Did you ever get your lower unit removed. I have the same motor and I have removed the five nuts that are visible. are there any more that I may be missing. is there a cotter pin that needs to be removed.

Thanks
John

 

[Dan in Cape Coral]

Re: 1996 Tracker Force 120 Impeller Question

Anthony,
Did you ever get your lower unit removed. I have the same motor and I have removed the five nuts that are visible. are there any more that I may be missing. is there a cotter pin that needs to be removed.

Thanks
John

It is my first time on this web sight and I also have a Force 120 impeller change in process. What is the sticky that you are referring to.