Impeller Change on 54 RD 16 - 25 HP

[timmeraw]

I woke up a 54 Johnson RD 16 today after many many years asleep but it is not pumping so the party was short lived. I have a new impeller and started to pull the foot off. Got the 6 or whatever bolts off but now what? Most old Johnsons and Rudes I have worked on had the inspection window to release the shift shaft but this one does not have that window. I see a big SCREW just about the split ...is that the release? I thought I had read before that it would drop down a half inch to access the nut holding the shift shaft but this only goes less than 1/4 inch.

UPDATE: Never mind I figured it out.....had to be in reverse to extend the shaft lower.

Thanks,
Tim