71 Rude-Lower Unit Problem

[ketron47]

Model 60173E, 60 HP. Gears will not engage. Type C oil is OK and unit is sealed. Acts as if the the clutch-dog gear is bumping against the main gears; but will not hold. Checked oil pump and seems to be OK along with the piston and O-ring.<br />There was metal on the oil pump screen. Notches on gears were previously redone; but are now showing wear(metal on screen). Any way of checking oil pump to insure it is applying enough pressure to hold the piston/clutch inplace? How does the spring in the prop shaft work in relations with the piston and clutch-dog? How could this spring be checked to ensure it hasn't lost it strength? Thanks

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 71 Rude-Lower Unit Problem

The spring is what push's the clutch dog into forward gear, and holds it there. I doubt if it would lose it's tension because it is almost always in a relaxed state. If you remove the retaining spring, and cross pin in the dog, you can remove the spring for inspection.

 

[ketron47]

Re: 71 Rude-Lower Unit Problem

Update: Piston seems to be binding in the unit.<br />Without the O-ring in place; the piston moves very freely. With the O-ring (new) installed the movement of the piston is errotic; at times it will move freely and then at times its rough. At one time the piston was moving freely; I left it in place for a few minutes and when I tried to remove it I had to use pliers. Question: Is the piston pushed all the way back into the unit or just up to the O-ring?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 71 Rude-Lower Unit Problem

the piston position depends on the oil pressure applied on it. in fwd there is no pressure so its all the way fwd, in neutral only one pump valve is closed so it moves to the N position. when the R solinoid and the N solinoid are energized both pump valves are closed and the piston moves all the way aft. carefully polish the bore and the piston with crocus cloth. make sure you use the factory oring, I have seen some aftermarket ones swell and not work properly.