First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Ok, looks like the color band is white? There's a skinny white pinstripe at the top and bottom of the cowling, the other bands are maroon and tan but those seem like they are just there to highlight the Mercury name. You can see the picture if you cut and past this URL into a new broswer window:<br /><br /> http://www.theantitrust.com/ul/merccolor.gif

 

[briannh1234]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Newbie -<br /><br />I could not view your pictures. There is one more nut you need to remove at the front of the lower unit. The bolt it's on point's up.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Hi!<br />Sorry about that, that picture hosting site is crap, I'll find another place to host the pictures.<br /><br />I called a marina today who also suggested that nut in the front pointing up. I loosened it and now there is a tiny tiny crack of light between the mid and lower unit but I still can't get the lower unit to drop free- I have removed all the nuts!!<br /><br />I tried kicking it but felt foolish and stopped. The motor is in forward gear as the service manual demands (I tried shifting it into neutral just to see and nothing happened. I tried reverse but the shifter seems to meet with some resistance getting into reverse now.)<br /><br />What do I do now?<br />Thanks

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Ok here's the picture with the nuts and bolts I removed...<br /><br /> http://www.freepicturehosting.com/g/123861_T.jpg

 

[briannh1234]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Newbie -<br /><br />Take one of the nuts without the plastic cap on it and thread it on the front bolt so that it is even with the top of the bolt. (This is to protect the bolt threads during this process). Then find yourself some 2x4's and place them on the cavitation plate on each side. (This is to protect the aluminum.) Have a buddy hold the lower unit.<br /><br />Then tap the front bolt with a hammar, and the 2x4's with a hammar. Repeat until the lower unit drops free. Then remove the nut and the 2x4's.<br /><br />btw - The new link for you picture work's fine.<br /><br />These things are even harder to install. Good luck.

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Cool, thanks - I will try this tonight!<br />Although, I thought I saw the crack of light *under* the antiventilation plate. Hammering on the stud up front will surely transfer force to the lower unit but I'll have to go look at whether or not putting force on the plate would help. Maybe I can pull the prop and hammer on the prop shaft too just to keep even force front to back.<br /><br />I am not looking forward to putting it back on, either...

 

[briannh1234]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Newbie -<br /><br />The LU seperates above the cavitation plate. I wouldn't hammar on the prop shaft. You have the right idea now, just don't hammar on anything to hard or it will dent, then break. (aluminum is very soft.) The 2x4 will spread the load out on the cavitation plate.

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO<br />YIPYIPYIPYIPYIPYIP YEEEHAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW<br />Wacked the top of the cav plate and the stud on the front a bit (using a hammer on a piece of 2X4)... crack got bigger.... wedged a prybar in there, opened up a little more! I had to get my wife out there to lift the motor while I held the lower so I could clear the driveshaft out of the bottom. The only thing that hung up was the black rubber hose, I think it's the speedo hose. If is really odd, looks like rubber line but you can't squeeze it, it's hard... I wonder if it dry rotted or something. Anyway now I can tackle the water pump tomorrow. I'm wondering if I should just replace the whole pump while the lower unit is off.<br />The lower unit is hard to handle... I am going to build a wooden bracket to hold it upright while I work on it (I had the prop on it and left the gear oil in it so it's a bit unwieldy...)<br /><br />THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PUT IN THEIR 2 CENTS AND GAVE TIPS, HINTS, AND ENCOURAGEMENT!<br /><br />By the way, this thing looks great inside, looks like the previous owner kept real good care of it. All the nuts/bolts had antiseize, the shafts had lubrication on the splines, everything looked nice and new in there.<br /><br />Now I just have to pray that the impeller is my whole problem (tattle tale goes away at higer idle).<br /><br />By the way, what kind of grease should I (relubricate) the shaft ends with (shift shaft and drive shaft)?? I have some waterproof bearning grease "for boat trailer bearings". Is that good?<br /><br />THANKS!!

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

If I open it up and the impeller is shredded, how do I (can I?) backflush the system to get the little rubber bits out of the head?<br /><br />Thanx!

 

[roscoe]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

I use marine grade grease. Others will say one brand or type is better. ??<br /><br />Sometimes the impeller just gets weak or worn, with no pieces missing. If some is missing, you can try to backflush thru the thermostat housing with a garden hose.<br /><br />If the waterpump housing looks nice and smooth inside, you can just change the impeller. If there are worn grooves in housing or plates, then change the pump.<br /><br />Remember, NO grease on top end of the driveshaft, only on the sides.<br /><br />Keep up the good work.

 

[Merc90HPnewbie]

Re: First time out - am I crazy or is something wrong?

Thanks all, it was the impeller after all. It took a set (didn't fall apart) and lost flexibility I guess. With the new one in it pumps fine at all RPMs. I would like to install a temp gauge to keep an eye on things, but I dont know how to cut up fiberglass... maybe I can find something that surface mounts...