Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

[lbdavis]

First off, thanks for existing. I'm rebuilding a '63 3.3Hp and couldn't do it without y'all, maxrules, and Tom's Old Evinrude site.

My question:
The bottom of the drive shaft came out of the lower unit and I can't get it back in. I tried several times, but don't want to damage anything. Is there a trick to getting those splines to line back up?

Thanks in advance,

Lance

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

It's a 3hp. It should slide right back in as far as I know. I have not done that exact model but have done others. Try rotating the prop (I know, you've already done that)

 

[Daviet]

Re: Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

Looked at a parts breakdown for a 1963 3hp, and it looks like it just slips into the pinion gear. Didn't see any type of retainer.

 

[lbdavis]

Re: Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

Hmm. Thanks. I would have thought it'd go back in easily.

One other thing to mention: when I was rotating the prop, it would get stuck at times (when I was trying to get the shaft in) and I would have to spin the prop backwards before it would go forward again.

Perhaps something foreign is in there? I'll drain the unit and turn it upside down and see. Maybe blow it out w/ air?

 

[lbdavis]

Re: Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

I've drained the lower unit, blew it out with air to be sure there was nothing foreign in there, then filled with fresh oil. Drive shaft still will not go in.

If I shake the lower unit I can hear things move and I can see that things are not lining up when I look down through the shaft opening. Any ideas?

FWIW, the lower unit was working when I ran the motor last summer...

 

[F_R]

Re: Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

STOP!! There is nothing wrong with it. The pinion gear simply won't stay in place when you pull the shaft out. That is what you are hearing rattleing around in there. Contrary to what people will tell you, you do NOT have to take it apart to get the shaft back in.

What you do have to do is hold the gearcase in a certain position, and the pinion will settle in place and you can slide the shaft right in with a minimum of wiggling. Now the remaining question is what is that certain position? I think it is with the drive shaft horizontal and prop shaft pointing up. Or is it pointing down?? A bit of trial and error will figure it out.

 

[lbdavis]

Re: Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

Thanks F R,

I tried some wiggling around last night but to no avail. However, I never turned things 90*'s as you suggested and that did the trick.

The drive shaft horizontal and the prop shaft pointing down allowed the drive train to slid right in.

Now if I can just get a damn spark, I'll be on to my next problem.

 

[the spindoctor]

Re: Evinrude Lightwin 3302 Drive shaft question

turn the prop so that it's facing down and try it again, slightly turning the shaft if it doesn't slide right in. you can shine a flashlight down in there and see that little gear is offset a bit when the motor is straight up.

i picked up a 3hp lightwin last night and just got done tearing it down and that had me stumped at first, too.

EDIT: oops, didn't realize you got it figured out. :redface: