hate to be this guy...cant get the lower unit off!!!! '85 70 hp

[rtpassini]

I removed all the bolts needed (and extras) two on each side, and 3 in the middle by the trim tab. also released the shift linkage.

I cant get it to budge at all. I've been smacking it with a rubber mallet all over. nothing. I sprayed the seam down with Fluid Film for now. are there any other tips or something I'm missing? I doubt the previous owner had done an impeller change in the past 5 years

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: hate to be this guy...cant get the lower unit off!!!! '85 70 hp

Did you remove the bolt "under" the trim tab?

 

[rtpassini]

Re: hate to be this guy...cant get the lower unit off!!!! '85 70 hp

got it off. question, i had read that you shouldnt turn the shift rod at all. not sure if it happened or not, but im guessing at the most 1 full turn....is that okay?

 

[rtpassini]

Re: hate to be this guy...cant get the lower unit off!!!! '85 70 hp

one more question, on the parts diagram, they dont show an o ring under the impeller, but on here JohnRudeTips he shows to put one there....the o ring of that size i used on the top of the driveshaft....

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: hate to be this guy...cant get the lower unit off!!!! '85 70 hp

got it off. question, i had read that you shouldnt turn the shift rod at all. not sure if it happened or not, but im guessing at the most 1 full turn....is that okay?

Yep thats fine, just check when you start it up that it goes in to forward and back properly, ie the gears are not knocking into each other but a meshing fine. It normally takes a lot more than one turn to get it out of mesh range, but who knows if someone got it close the last time they changed it.
Not sure about the impeller o-ring, someone else might.
One engine i had had such an issue, the impeller kit from Sierra came with a note explaining to put the included ring there as the specs had being changed post production

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: hate to be this guy...cant get the lower unit off!!!! '85 70 hp

It would be a good idea to check that measurement (shown below) rather than to chance doing double work... it is critical!

Measurement is from the top surface of the lower unit to the center of the shift rod hole, with the unit in neutral.

1985 - 70, 75hp = (S) 16-13/32" - - (L) 21-23/32" plus/minus 1/32" Have the shift rod in neutral and offset to the port side.