Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

[CaptainDucky]

I was originally going to remove only the lower unit and replace the water pump and impeller as I overheated the other day at the lake. I got to thinking that I might need to check some other things while I was doing this, so I made an outdrive stand (I'll post pictures later) and got the outdrive off and after further inspection I noticed that there was a white milky hard substance with water standing and rust everywhere. I included a picture that you can hopefully see. Is this a common occurrence? If not can you give me a little information as to how to clean it and then look for what is causing it?

I also am wondering about the shift slide and the cam that is there in the picture as well. Are they suppose to be attached or is the cam just to sit in the slot on the shift slide? It is really loose and that is where there is a ton of that white milky substance.

Once I get that situation under control I will be on my way. Will let you know how the water pump goes.

I have enjoyed reading all the great ideas everyone has and I hope to be able to work well with them. Thanks.

DuckDude

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

I was originally going to remove only the lower unit and replace the water pump and impeller as I overheated the other day at the lake. I got to thinking that I might need to check some other things while I was doing this, so I made an outdrive stand (I'll post pictures later) and got the outdrive off and after further inspection I noticed that there was a white milky hard substance with water standing and rust everywhere. I included a picture that you can hopefully see. Is this a common occurrence? If not can you give me a little information as to how to clean it and then look for what is causing it?

I also am wondering about the shift slide and the cam that is there in the picture as well. Are they suppose to be attached or is the cam just to sit in the slot on the shift slide? It is really loose and that is where there is a ton of that white milky substance.

Once I get that situation under control I will be on my way. Will let you know how the water pump goes.

I have enjoyed reading all the great ideas everyone has and I hope to be able to work well with them. Thanks.

DuckDude

The slide just sits on the cam.
I had some white power in that hole in my drive. I assume its old corrosion and then you may have gotten a bit water in there with it. Clean it our and lube the shift cable, reinstall with a new gasket and you should be good to go.

Dont forget to check the bellows and the alignment since your there.

And last but not least,,,, Welcome aboard...

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Thanks bifflefan....I was wondering that myself.

Cleaned and will grease when ready to put back on.

I cannot separate the upper unit from lower unit to do the water pump replacement. Are there any ways to loosen it. I am about red in the face and sore trying to get it apart?

DuckDude

 

[JustJason]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Did you get all the bolts apart? There is 1 nut in the front. 2 underneath about halfway. 2 On top, about a 1/3rd from the front. There is the annode bolt that has to come loose, and there is 1 up under the annode that alot of people miss.

It also looks like you have some junk against the gimbal bearing. Is that watered down grease or is it gear lube?

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Looks like you can use a new upper shift arm too, and should probably replace the upper shift shaft bushings while you are at it. Good luck.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Did you get all the bolts apart? There is 1 nut in the front. 2 underneath about halfway. 2 On top, about a 1/3rd from the front. There is the annode bolt that has to come loose, and there is 1 up under the annode that alot of people miss.

It also looks like you have some junk against the gimbal bearing. Is that watered down grease or is it gear lube?

Jason
Working on the bolt underneath annode. It is really being mean!

That is gear lube....I checked for watered grease.

DD

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Looks like you can use a new upper shift arm too, and should probably replace the upper shift shaft bushings while you are at it. Good luck.

Terry,
Thanks for info I will look for one of those tomorrow. I was wondering about that. Are they hard to replace?

DD

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Terry,
Thanks for info I will look for one of those tomorrow. I was wondering about that. Are they hard to replace?

DD

There is a screw and pin that goes through the shaft, If you can get the screw out it is easy. If you can't, well you might better clean and lube it up really well and leave it rather then screw up a $80 shaft. Here is what it looks like: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...0065.png&inbr=2203&bnbr=60&bdesc=BELL+HOUSING the bushing and oil seal is #7. Good luck.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

If that's gear lube then your in for an upper seal job, and maybe more. Drain out your gear lube and give the drive a pressure test.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

If that's gear lube then your in for an upper seal job, and maybe more. Drain out your gear lube and give the drive a pressure test.

Don't think it is gear lube after further inspection. I think it is that lube that you put in the zirc fitting supposedly for the gimbal bearing on the underside of the bell housing. I hope!

Come to find out the bolt that is allen wrenched into the annode area is stripped and I need some advice on how to get it out now that my allen wrench or hex nut driver won't work. Seems as though my grandfather might have not ever had this done and if he did it was done by someone that didn't ever expect to have to take it off.

Thanks for all the help so far.

DD

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Should be able to just drill the head out, then it will drop off.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Don't waste your time trying to lube the shift cable, accept that it is toast (burnt) and move on. This way you won't have to pull the drive again next month. Cables not ment to be lubed, when bad, they are bad.

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Don't waste your time trying to lube the shift cable, accept that it is toast (burnt) and move on. This way you won't have to pull the drive again next month. Cables not ment to be lubed, when bad, they are bad.

Cr2k
If the shift cable is bad could that be a reason that it dies out when coming in to dock or to trailer? And is the shift cable that hard to change? I am assuming that you are meaning to go from throttle all the way back to the shift slide/cam/bushing with a new cable?


DD

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

If that's gear lube then your in for an upper seal job, and maybe more. Drain out your gear lube and give the drive a pressure test.

Jason
Do you have a sight or some advice on draining the gear lube? I removed all the lower drive oil, but draining a lube I am lost.

DD

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Jason
Do you have a sight or some advice on draining the gear lube? I removed all the lower drive oil, but draining a lube I am lost.

DD

Gear lube and drive oil = same thing.


You really do need to replace the shift shaft bushings with the new style. It looks like you have been getting water in that area. I recently did that with mine. Easy to do.

Instead of trying to remove the screw that holds the shift arm, simply strike the arm with a cold chisel and it will break in two right at the screw. (Well, try the screw first, but when that doesn't work, use the chisel. )

Here's what it will look like with the shaft removed and the new bushings in place:

Here's the same with a new shift arm and shift cable:

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Come to find out the bolt that is allen wrenched into the annode area is stripped and I need some advice on how to get it out

Don't try to drill the allen head bolt. Instead drill and bust up the anode. Then you will see the bolt that holds the halves together.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Don't try to drill the allen head bolt. Instead drill and bust up the anode. Then you will see the bolt that holds the halves together.

Never thought of that, might be easier. In either case be sure to mark the direction of the fin before you take it off.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Gear lube and drive oil = same thing.


You really do need to replace the shift shaft bushings with the new style. It looks like you have been getting water in that area. I recently did that with mine. Easy to do.

Instead of trying to remove the screw that holds the shift arm, simply strike the arm with a cold chisel and it will break in two right at the screw. (Well, try the screw first, but when that doesn't work, use the chisel. )


That is a great trick!! That screw is a nightmare to remove. I used heat, oil, heat, oil, heat oil, and all the heat melted the shift arm end anyways so replaced it.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Here is a link that may help:
http://www.mercstuff.com/howdoi.htm

 

[CaptainDucky]

Re: Closer Look at Bell Housing and Shift Cable

Gear lube and drive oil = same thing.


You really do need to replace the shift shaft bushings with the new style. It looks like you have been getting water in that area. I recently did that with mine. Easy to do.

Instead of trying to remove the screw that holds the shift arm, simply strike the arm with a cold chisel and it will break in two right at the screw. (Well, try the screw first, but when that doesn't work, use the chisel. )


That is a great trick!! That screw is a nightmare to remove. I used heat, oil, heat, oil, heat oil, and all the heat melted the shift arm end anyways so replaced it.

Ok..doesn't seem all that bad.
Should there be such movement and play in the intermediate lever? It is in the sleeve but is there suppose to be a bushing that is holding and keeping it from moving so much or is the sleeve that it is in called the bushing?

Can I just change the shift shaft and slider etc... without rerouting new cable to the throttle?

DD