lower unit help please

[biggie]

i have just replaced the impeller in my 1978 80hp 4 cylinder mariner, i can get the lower unit to slide back up all but the last inch, any easy tips on how to get it back up,

 

[Atlantic Bryan]

Re: lower unit help please

It must be an epidemic! I just did the same thing with my 2004 5 hp. Except that I can't get it to slide in for the final three or four inches. It seems that I'm not getting the drive shaft into the socket that it connects to at the top, but I can't figure out how to line things up.

I'm following the Mercury manual that says to put the shifter in Reverse, slide the unit on while at the same time fitting the shift rod into the clamp on the upper shift rod and sliding the plastic water tube into the top of the water pump. I can't get the unit up far enough to even engage the water pump and plastic tube.

Am I just clumsy?

 

[Laddies]

Re: lower unit help please

It's probably the shift shaft sometime the upper shafts aren't centered but it is ussaully the spines aren't quite lined up. Put both sections in rev it don't go uo then get somemone to wiggle the gear shift just a little to help align the spines

 

[biggie]

Re: lower unit help please

i got it up there before i rechecked this post, now the prop spins when in nuetral, i did not have in rev, when insatalling it was in forward, but you are right it was the shift shaft., any ideas on how to fix my new problem with the prop, I am guessing I have to remove the lower unit again, if so do I have to drain the lube out of it first, or can I take it off full. thanks

 

[Laddies]

Re: lower unit help please

Just drop it back down and sift the lower unit into rev with a pair of pliers. Keep in mind the the prop has to be locked when you turn it clockwise and reinstall with the shift lever in rev.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: lower unit help please

Biggie, I like to reinstall the LU while the control box and the LU are in neutral. Remember the LU should "click into" and stay in neutral. Also, there are two neutral positions, make sure you have the correct one. Now, whn you get the LU up to the last inch, you may need to wiggle the shift handle on the control box to make the fine adjustment necessary to align the shift rods.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: lower unit help please

Biggie, One more thing, There is a plastic casting that fits over the shift rod, where the upper and LU meet. You need to put this into the upper, to center the shift rod. Stick it in the upper with some grease, if it falls out.

 

[biggie]

Re: lower unit help please

how do I know which gear I have the lower unit in before I reinstall it,

 

[Chris1956]

Re: lower unit help please

Biggie, Click the LU into neutral. Now move the control box from neutral to fwd, and observe the movement of the shift rod (Clockwise?), and turn the shift rod the same way. If the motor is in forward, the propshaft will turn clockwise, with a racheting sound.