I was going to change the oil in the lower unit of my 59 sea king 35hp electric start. I removed the Philip head in stead of the flat head. So it looks like I might have to remove the lower unit to fix this. Unless someone knows a trick
As long as you didn't move the shifter you should be able to get the screw back in. You might have to use a small pick to line up the hole in the shift fork, but removing the lower unit isn't going to make it easier.
OK, so you asked for a trick to get it back in. Here ya go... Look in the screw hole. Can you see the hole in the lever inside? If you can, you are in luck. Grind or file a bevel on the end of the screw/pin so it comes to a pointy edge one one side. Insert the pin so the pointy edge enters the hole in the internal lever. With gentle inward pushing, rotate the pin. It should drag the lever into position and slide on in. And you are home free.
Well congratulation. You are certainly not the only one that has ever done that. However, removing the foot will not allow you to fix your problem any better. And that is because you have to have the shifter rod in place to install the pivot pin anyway. So follow the suggestions above and it will work itself out. BTDT JMHO
Well I have an update I was not able to put the screwback in like suggested above so I pulled the lower unit apart because I do not know the last time The impeller was replaced so I looked in the manual on how to pull the lower unit off. It was simple and straightforward however for what I see does not match what shows in the manual for parts so I'm wondering if someone switched The lower unit to an older model or newer model maybe someone can help me I will add photos. And it definitely needs an impeller just about ready to break one fin it says my file exceeds the limit so I guess I can't send a photo
I see your foot section is built very close to my '76 Johnson 40HP foot. Good idea ot replace the impeller while you have it down. Just make sure when you put it back together, that you get the water tube back in the proper place and that the grommets are good. JMHO
