Cant get the lower uniut to come off of a 1977 Johnsons 55hp outboard?

[sphinx6060]

Iv taken off 6 bolts from the bottom. And taken the shift rod lever loose.Pulled the shift rod out toward the case(oppostie of fuel supply side). The lower unit drops down about 2-3 inches and then wont come down any farther. Is there something Im missing?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Cant get the lower uniut to come off of a 1977 Johnsons 55hp outboard?

When you removed the trim tab and the trim tab bolt, did you get the bolt just on top of it?​

 

[sphinx6060]

Re: Cant get the lower uniut to come off of a 1977 Johnsons 55hp outboard?

Yeah. I took the 4 bolts off the back, the trim tab and the bolt the trim tab slighty covered up. The lower unit drops down from the d/s housing. Theres a 2-3 inch gap from the d/s housing and the lower unit. It just wont drop all the way. It looked like the shift linkage under the motor is stuck on something. When I raise the lower unit up and down I can see that linkage going up and down. Looks like its caught on something. I cant get a real good look at it so I might end up removing the starter to get a better look.It seems like the water pump tube is hanging on something.The d/s dissengages from the motor but the tube coming up from the water pump doesnt. The boat was rear ended while in tow about 3 years ago. Didnt mess that much stuff up but maybe playing a problem with removal.

 

[sphinx6060]

Re: Cant get the lower uniut to come off of a 1977 Johnsons 55hp outboard?

Does anyone know what the correct procedure is? Maybe theres a step Im leaving out

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Cant get the lower uniut to come off of a 1977 Johnsons 55hp outboard?

Re-attach the lower unit with a couple bolts to keep it from dropping, then thoroughly investigate the upper shift rod connection linkage. From what you've said..... "When I raise the lower unit up and down I can see that linkage going up and down", that indicates that the upper shift linkage is still connnected.