Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

[MarkR1234]

I have a 6 hp Evinrude, model 6805B,(1978) s/n J0002127. I'm trying to pull the lower unit to replace the water pump. It won't come off. Selco manual pg 8-39/40 says, after removing the 4 bolts, to rotate the flywheel to align the pin of the driveshaft with two slots in the uppor portion of the exhaust housing. I do this, yet the lower unit won't drop more than an eighth of an inch. I know it needs to come down about an inch in order to remove the bottom bolt of the shift connector. But I can't get it down far enough. I've tried rotating the flywheel a quarter inch at a time alternating with pulling on the lower unit. Still no luck. Prior to reading the manual closely, I had attempted to force the lower unit to come down---that may have done something bad--but now I'm stuck. You can't see where the pin is since it's covered by the exhaust housing, so how can you tell when it's aligned. Any ideas?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

Try shifting into forward.

 

[MarkR1234]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

Thanks. Just tried shifing into forward (again) and rotating the flywheel. Lower unit still won't budge.

 

[Bob in Calif.]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

MARK R........<br /> Shift the transmission into reverse, by using the shift handle. It will extend the shift rod far enough to access the connector screw/bolt for removal. ...Bob in Calif...

 

[MarkR1234]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

I tried shifting in reverse. However, the problem is, the lower unit housing won't drop far enough to even get a screwdriver blade in to get to the bolt holding the shift rod. There's less than a quarter inch of space. I can clearly see the bolt with a flashlight. I can't get to it.<br />Should I try removing the exhaust housing?

 

[OBJ]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

Mark...<br /><br />Sounds like either the drive shaft splines are gallded in or the water tube to the engine is stuck in the water pump housing grommet. Hate to say it, but, little force may be required here to get it to drop.

 

[camper681]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

is your model a long shaft? My '73 6 hp fisherman was a real ball buster to get the lower unit off. I removed the bolts on both ends of the extention housing and put the trans in reverse to access the connector bolt. When the bolt was off I rotated the prop while pulling on the unit to disengage the pin holding the lower unit on.<br />Hope this helps

 

[JACKULLRICH]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

Mark I have pulled a lot of lower units, from 6 hps. If you have removed all of the lower unit bolts and cannot drop the lower unit down enough, you will have to force the unit a little more. If you have any type of spray lub, wd40 etc. Spray a little onto the water tube that goes into the water pump housing, and let it sit. Move the forwad reverse lever into REV. Turn the fly wheel, a little at a time, to set the pin into the slot of the shaft.Take out the spark plugs first so you won"t start the engine. This has happend before. You will have to get large enough flat blade screw drivers one on each side, and slowly pry down. Don't worry if you break the little pin on the top shaft, you can replace it. Sometimes, the drive shaft will also stick into the lower engine shaft well. Turn the engine upside down, and spray a good penitration oil down the shaft and let it sit..HOPE this helps ....Jack

 

[Hooty]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

Note:<br />WD40 is a pi$$poor penetrating oil. Use something like Kroil or PB Blaster.<br /><br />g'luck & c/6<br /><br />Hooty

 

[JACKULLRICH]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

Thanks Hooty, for helping out with marks problem. I could not remember the old KROL, oil. Have C.R.S sometimes. Thanks for jumping in. Jack

 

[MarkR1234]

Re: Can't pull lower unit 6 hp 1978

Success! Yes!<br />Thanks, Jack and everyone else for your collective good words of wisdom. I tightened the bolts back in, spark plugs removed, and pulled on the starter cord in neutral while putting a little pressure on the shift leverinto reverse until it clicked. I figured the pins were aligned. After removing the bolts, I sprayed some wd-40 upwards, both sides, well drenched. Then, kept twisting a little back and forth on the lower unit while pulling. It started to give, then dropped enough to remove the bolt holding the shift rod. I could finally reach it, then after removing it, the whole thing came off. The shaft pin was OK. Done! Thanks again for all your advice.