89 225 V6 Excel 2 Piece Shift Shaft Replacement

[MaineFishin]

Next item on the agenda is a shift shaft replacement. I have ordered the 2 piece shiftshaft so I do not have to remove the powerhead in orderto replace the unit. I have the lower unit off (due to the impella change) and I am waiting for both the lower unit bolts to come in and the shift shaft, both items are due in Wednesday.
Does anyone have any experiece with this product? Any advice or issues prior to my starting the job? Once I start and I cut the shaft there is no turning back, I would appreciate all insights into this process.

 

[MaineFishin]

Re: 89 225 V6 Excel 2 Piece Shift Shaft Replacement

Part 2 of the request for direction from those with experience, the new shaft came in yesterday. The instructions with the shaft state to remove the lower carburator, I did not buy new gaskets in advance since this was not detailed in their add. Will I need to replace the gasket and would "form a gasket" work in place of waiting for the new gasket to arrive? I would love to complete this without waiting for the gaskets to come in. The book states to replace the gasket but is this direction conservative or spot on?

Thanks

 

[jeffersondodson561]

Re: 89 225 V6 Excel 2 Piece Shift Shaft Replacement

I have reused carb base gaskets with success before when no other option was available, frowned upon but in extreme cases probably will work.

 

[MaineFishin]

Re: 89 225 V6 Excel 2 Piece Shift Shaft Replacement

Thanks for the vote of confidence, I would wait for gaskets to arrive but my son is visiting for a short period and we would like to go fishing.

I appreciate the direction

 

[MaineFishin]

Re: 89 225 V6 Excel 2 Piece Shift Shaft Replacement

Update, I was able to intall the shift shaft without removing the caburator, the old shiift shaft flexed significantly at the deteriorated locations. I am glad I did not attempt to make it through the year, it is now a two piece shaft. I do think the epoxy and aluminum tube repair I read about would also work, most of the shaft was in viable condition. Thanks for all the input (jeffersondodson561).

 

[andygold]

Re: 89 225 V6 Excel 2 Piece Shift Shaft Replacement

Follow up on the problem you were having...may be what I am experiencing. What I am looking for are the precise symptoms that told you that you had a problem. Was the shifter behaving "funny". Did you have trouble getting the boat into gear? Have trouble with it staying in gear? Noises from engine?

I have a 1992 200 hp Yamaha (saltwater use) that ran ok down the lake and back...about 4 miles....following water pump replacement. However, after break break to clean the boat up, when headed back to ramp, the shifting at first seemed "funny", then from neutral when shifting into forward the boat actually was in reverse gear. Back to neutral, then to forward several times....same result. Boat backing up when helm is in forward. Then it did go into forward, and I eased back the 1/4 mile to the ramp and am researching the problem.

Boat is not where I can immediately look at it. However, from research I suspect shift shaft trouble. I will look at the shaft....I assume I am looking for lots of rust? Do you believe a rusty and thin shaft could flex enough to put the boat in the wrong gear? Cables seem to move OK. I intend to drain the foot and look for filings, although with new water pump the lube should be OK and I suspect that ruined foot should not be a problem.

 

[MaineFishin]

Re: 89 225 V6 Excel 2 Piece Shift Shaft Replacement

I can't comment on your symptoms since I proactively changed my shaft. when looking through the space just above the location where the lower unit seperates the diameter of the shaft was thin and inconsistant. once removed the shaft easily flexxed and snapped. From the research I did prior to changing my shaft I would conclude that twisting of the shaft and it being out of sync is the first symptom aside from the visual inspection.

I read about a repair with epoxy and an aluminum tube I would have tried had I not found the two piece shift shaft, I did not want to remove the power head from an older engine.

Good luck!