Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

V

vahunter

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
42
I have a J25REOR (1995 25hp Johnson) and i had to helicoil the pivot pin screw hole (the phillips head screw forward of drain plug) to repair the stripped 1/4-28 threads (why 28 in cast alum :rolleyes:???) anyway when i broke the installation tang of my stainless helicoil it fell into the gearbox while playing 'Operation' to fish it out. I removed the water pump, the drive shaft and the vent and drain plug and shook the heck out of it and i cant get it to fall out. I cant see it either.

What would be the easiest and cheapest for disassembly an reassembly to revome the small piece of metal? Do you think it would be worth it or should i leave it in there?

Thanks a lot,
Buddy
 
D

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

I think if it were mine I would have to remove the bearing housing for the prop shaft and find the piece of metal. I don't beleave there is much clearence between gears and things for the piece of metal to float around and not cause any damage.
Just my personal opinion.
 
F

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

Leaving it in there is courting disaster. I suppose if you are real lucky, it might just grind itself to bits, but on the other hand it might bust a gear tooth and that will wipe out everything. Feeling lucky??? Hey, bad luck is luck too.
 
V

vahunter

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
42
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

How would go about doing that? And would I need and seals or special tools?
 
V

vahunter

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
42
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

no i dont have a manual for it. will i have to replace any seals? ill get started on it tomorrow. Hopefully i wont have to order any replacement parts.
 
R

rtek816

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 4, 2009
Messages
91
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

If it were a tang of aluminium, I would gamble it would be gone before anything else. Being it's a 3 or 4 mm long piece of stainless, pretty sure your gears are in for a battle. Tough part will be, to be absolutely sure you found that needle. Good luck!
 
D

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

You should probably expect to replace all the seals and o-rings that you need to remove to tear down the lower unit.
 
V

vahunter

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
42
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

ok so far i have removed the prop and up to the THRUST BUSHING, propeller (#65 shown here): http://www.ishopmarine.com/ishop/js...CatFilter=BRP&eCatSupFldr=supplier-100-005-EJ

I am uncertain of how the BEARING HOUSING (#1) and the PROPELLER SHAFT (#8) comes out whether its one after the other or the shaft and housing as one unit. I am machinist and i can making pullers no problem but im not sure what i should pull. There are threaded 1/4-20 holes in the bearing housing, not in the gearcase. I found a write-up (about half-way down http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Lower_unit.htm ) online for removing it but it shows holes in the gearcase to use as stand-offs and pulling the shaft and housing unit by using the prop. nut but mine does not have those holes.

So i guess my question is, do i pull just the shaft, just the housing (btw i removed the 2 bolts down deep) or the shaft/housing unit as one?
 
D

Daviet

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Messages
8,958
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

Here goes:
Remove prop and spacer----done
Remove 2 allen head screws--PN319743---done
Install puller on bearing housing and remove housing, may have to use some heat, they can be hard to get out.
Remove snap ring--PN319747, takes a BIG set of snap ring pliers.
Remove retainer plate--PN319746.
Prop shaft will pull out with the reverse gear on it.
Replace seals and o-rings upon reassembly, #2,6,48.
That should get it apart.
 
V

vahunter

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 22, 2009
Messages
42
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

Awesome instructions...thanks so much...now last question, the shift shaft disconnect is located water pickup, is the bottom linkage rod adjustable? If it is critical how do you know where it needs to be?
 
J

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

Before going any further, flush the gearbox with acetone, see if you can flush it out the lower drain hole.
 
S

Silver Heels

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
125
Re: Helicoil 'tang' fell in pivot pin screw hole in lower unit

Possibly try some compressed air to blow it out the drain hole. I would personally use rubbing alcohol as a flush if flushing is necessary. It is cheap and easy on rubber parts
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top