50 hp Evinrude triple - drive shaft and lower unit question

[ShoestringMariner]

Hey guys, I hope you’re all doing well.

I’m just doing an impeller change on my 50 hp Evinrude triple (1995) and noticed that the shaft looks like it’s been grinding on something about 5-6 inches down and perhaps another 3 inches below that. Looks like a seal groove just below the splines also.

Anything I should be concerned with there?

Also, when rotating the shaft by hand, I noticed a rumbling inside. Almost like noisy spur gears. Consistent. It goes into forward and reverse smoothly. The sound does not change and forward reverse or neutral. There’s oil in the lower, though I don’t know how much as I haven drained it right out and refilled. I thought I’d wait to see what the responses were in case I have to open it up. I’m a little thrifty and don’t want to waste the fresh oil.
Are the gear systems in these a little bit noisy? Or does it sound like I might have a bearing going.

This is a new to me motor. I have not had it in the water yet. Ran ok on the stand with muffs.

If it matters any, this motor came with a big 4 blade prop. Not sure if that has any bearing on anything or not.

 

[racerone]

There is a seal that runs on the shaft there !!-----What happens to the ---" rumbling " ---When you pull up on the driveshaft while turning it ?

 

[ShoestringMariner]

There is a seal that runs on the shaft there !!-----What happens to the ---" rumbling " ---When you pull up on the driveshaft while turning it ?

I figured there’d be a seal. Is that in the bottom end of the powerhead?

More concerning to me as the amount of galling further down the shaft. That’s been digging into something pretty hard. Bent shaft? One side of the shaft has been carved into a little deeper than the other.
It does not look bent when I spin it by hand. Could it be flexing under load?

I never thought about trying lifting the shaft. And lo and behold it goes away. Is there a thrust bearing in there or shims to properly set this up or is there supposed to be some sort of play in it?

 

[racerone]

Perhaps you are not aware that forces at work push the shaft UP when the motor is working.----Yes there is a factory tool ( I have it ) to properly shim these gears.----Nothing to it when you know how it all works.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Thanks. I’m trying to find a service manual aside from the generic Seloc manual.

So what do you think I should do here, open up and set up the lower unit?

Am I worried about nothing? I’m trying to button this thing back up

I plan on using this motor for accessing greater distances in bigger water bodies. I need reliability and can’t afford $13-15 k for a new Yamaha, Suzuki or Honda setup. (Thanks Bombardier, now you expect us to buy mercury? Um, NO)