Need help with stuck lower unit extension - water tube stuck - mid 80's 9.9 or 15 HP

[WA-Newb]

Two days ago I decided to change the impeller on my trolling motor but couldn't get the extension off so had a very hard time getting access to the shift linkage bolt. Took boat out and noticed no water coming from tale tale...figured smashed grommet or misaligned water tube so back at it I went. But now I am determined to get the extension off and have gotten it a lot farther but it won't go any more.

My questions are..
a) Do factory long shafts have different water tube setups than factory short shafts that were converted?
I have two of these motors and I am "thinking" my other motor was a little different but not sure.

b) Is the water tube I am working on supposed to fully come out of the extension or is there a joint above it and a small piece of the tube stays in the extension?
Rephrased: Is the end shown in the photo here permanently attached or is this just a hole it slides in?


I am just not sure where this is "supposed" to come free and do not want to break, bend or damage anything while trying to pry pull and pray...lol

Thank you.

 

[Dawgs]

Re: Need help with stuck lower unit extension - water tube stuck - mid 80's 9.9 or 15

Not sure about the smaller motors but the bigger motors have a shift rod that needs to be unbolted first in order for the lower to come off

 

[AlTn]

Re: Need help with stuck lower unit extension - water tube stuck - mid 80's 9.9 or 15

leeroy's ramblings has some info and pics on converting shaft lengths..might have some helpful info

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: Need help with stuck lower unit extension - water tube stuck - mid 80's 9.9 or 15

Not sure about the smaller motors but the bigger motors have a shift rod that needs to be unbolted first in order for the lower to come off

The shift rod is off...actually the whole lower unit is off.
Thanks though.

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: Need help with stuck lower unit extension - water tube stuck - mid 80's 9.9 or 15

leeroy's ramblings has some info and pics on converting shaft lengths..might have some helpful info

That's where I started my research right when it happened...and have actually emailed him on this one.

Anyone browsing this posting who has an OMC 9.9 or 15 HP should definitely have leeroys site bookmarked

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: Need help with stuck lower unit extension - water tube stuck - mid 80's 9.9 or 15

I have gotten this thing off now and thought I should post some photos in case others find this thread who are suffering the same issue.

My water intake tube was corroded and stuck to my extension so I could not pull it off. This didn't stop me from pulling the lower unit but it gave me concern so I decided to address it.

Here is what I did to get my stuck lower unit extension off.


1. Used a Dremel to cut the tube flush with the extension


2. Used the right size drill bit (not sure what it was) to drill out copper tube from extension.


Continued next post...

 

[WA-Newb]

Re: Need help with stuck lower unit extension - water tube stuck - mid 80's 9.9 or 15

3. Extension fell right down like it should have.


4. Used fuel line and hose clamps to make up the couple of inches of water tube I had to cut off.


Note: At the time of writing this I have not put the power head back on yet but have test fit the exhaust tube with the hose clamps and moved them out of the way as much as possible for when it's time to lower it back down. To get the right length I only tightened the top hose clamp and then put the exhaust tube in the mid section and pushed or pulled the bottom piece of water tube to the proper height then carefully removed the exhaust tube and tightened the bottom clamp.