black max lower unit wont go back on

[ohioriverrat]

so the drama continues with my old 175 hp black max - its the old one with the blue stripe - late 70s.
replaced the water pump and now i cant get the lower unit back on

the tube that goes down into the water pump is just slightly off, doesnt line up and is keeping it from going together.

unlike the newer motors where you attach the tube first then slide everything up in - my engine is the other way - the tube is up in there, doesnt come out and hangs down

you cant reach your hand up pin there at all to hold it

i was thinking about maybe a coat hanger trying to hold it in place or shuv it over where it needs to go, then pulling the coat hanger out once it is aligned
but this has also proved quite difficult with one set of hands

if you know any tricks please let me know

if the tube comes out of the top part let me know, but it seems like it doesnt ot me, and im afraid of tearing something up if i start yanking and jerking on it which would result in more work or maybe the possibility of not getting it back up in there

 

[DADDYRABBIT1]

Re: black max lower unit wont go back on

Try putting the foot up off center to where the tube lines up and goes into the w/p housing once it is a little of the way in turn the foot to where it is suppose to be and proceed as normal.

My Mariner is the same why and it's what I have to do.

 

[j_martin]

Re: black max lower unit wont go back on

Not sure, but I think there should be a short loose fitting plastic tube in the water pump that guides the water tube in on assembly. You can get the tube started down that guide before anything else has to match.

hope it helps
John

 

[ohioriverrat]

Re: black max lower unit wont go back on

it does have a small plastic tube, but it seemed like to me if i used it then it wouldnt seal up right. will i need some kind of silicone or something on the end of the tube or does the compression down in the tube housing keep it from leaking?

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: black max lower unit wont go back on

The plastic tube is for aligning the water pump it's not supposed to seal anything

 

[j_martin]

Re: black max lower unit wont go back on

it does have a small plastic tube, but it seemed like to me if i used it then it wouldnt seal up right. will i need some kind of silicone or something on the end of the tube or does the compression down in the tube housing keep it from leaking?

In the top of the pump should be a rubber seal that seals tightly around the water tube. The plastic tube fits rather loosely on the pump over the seal, and it's only purpose is to guide the water tube to the rubber seal. After it's all assembled, it could melt, slide, or just disintegrate and it wouldn't make any difference. (They often melt on high performance engines.)

That's why the plastic tube is called the water tube guide.

A little 2-4-C lube on the seal helps during assembly.

Now, if you had and read the Mercury Service Manual, there is about a page of clear instructions for installing the gear housing to the drive shaft housing (lower to mid) including several hints and pitfalls.

hope it helps
John

 

[ohioriverrat]

Re: black max lower unit wont go back on

i tried to find A mercury manual, unfortunately was only able to find a piece of **** manual. i was not aware how difference there would be, but i know now. stay away from the non mercury service mauals..

 

[j_martin]

Re: black max lower unit wont go back on

i tried to find A mercury manual, unfortunately was only able to find a piece of **** manual. i was not aware how difference there would be, but i know now. stay away from the non mercury service mauals..

So did you finally get it together. I usually conscript my wife to start a coupla nuts and maybe rock the flywheel with a provided breaker bar, but otherwise it's a quick one man job.

Look up the parts list for your motor and the manual will be listed. With that number in hand, look over eBay, craigslist, and maybe amazon and try to buy a used one to match your used motor.