Lower Unit Shims

[Yesterday]

Hi all.
I'm working to build one lower unit from two, and have two older style (Chrysler) Force lower units from I believe to be 125HP's. I've read a great thread on the disassembly of those, with great input from Frank, but he spoke of shims under the upper bearing on the drive shaft (single piece), and to my supprise, there weren't any on either of these lower units im working on.

I see they list as no longer available, and I'm wondering just how important these shims are and if it's a high degree, can they be fabricated out of something else??

I'm about to reassemble everything and I really don't want to torque the pinion nut down and then find out that it will be prone to flying apaart, after the fact. Also, is there any recommended way of getting the upper bearing off the drive shaft? I'd love to put the newer bearring on the shaft I will be using. The one it's on now had the splines sheared clean off.

Thanks.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Lower Unit Shims

Shims are applied after using tools to raise or lower the pinion/gears.
You need special tools to accomplish this.
Just taking apart and reassembling you can get away with out shimming.
Swapping parts from one to another you need tools.
Shims can be made from any other shim sets.
It's great if you can find the right stuff.
FrankA will probably chime in.

 

[Yesterday]

Re: Lower Unit Shims

Thanks for replying Jerry! When you say "applied after"... after what specifically?
Oh and, with respect to that upper bearing, would it come off towards the pinion? or waterpump side, would you know off hand??

Thanks once again!

 

[Yesterday]

Re: Lower Unit Shims

Hmmmm I just read the entire section of my service manual (for older two part lower unit versions) and it references the shims as being within the prop shaft bearing cage. I see now what you're referring to Jerry. I can transplant the entire lower unit parts group as a whole into effectively just a different housing, but I somehow think that it should still be re-shimed. Perhaps it's best if I just stick with putting the 120HP power head I have on a fully assembled 85 HP(older) leg and lower? It looks a lot smaller, but it's all in one piece.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Lower Unit Shims

That's the way.Just swap.
I think the bearing goes up???