Putting motor in neutral

ndfool

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 23, 2007
Messages
30
First I will say I am new to outboards, never having worked on one or even used one before.

Last year I spent many months taking the shell of a 1976 tri-hull and completly refitting it into as perfect a fishing boat as I could make out of an old tri-hull. This includes replacing the very rotton transom.

I bought a 1979, 80hp 4cyl, ser #5294152 recently that I am going to attempt to rebuild.

The power head is in good shape, having been fairly recently fully serviced. Most of the wiring is new.

The lower unit on the other hand is a mess. The guy who I bought it from was going to replace the water pump, but could not get the lower unit to drop, so he took a sawsall and cut all the bolts off and also beat on it enough that he took chunks off the alumium housing off. The sawsall also beat the heck out of the flange (flat area) between the lower unit and the drive shaft housing, they look like mice chewed on them.

He did not damage any of the gears and drive shafts, just the housings.

I plan replacing all of the lower unit housings.

My question is and it is a simple one, I think.
How do I get the power head into neutral? The drive shaft is still in the middle section and when I turn the motor over by hand it turns the shaft, I assume that means it is in gear?
My manual says to make sure the motor is in neutral, before lifting the powerhead off.

He did not damage any of the gears and drive shafts, just the housings.

I paid $375.00 for this outboard, with the controls and tilt and trim. I am looking at it as a teaching tool for myself and it is not the end of the world if I can not get this motor going agian, but don't see why I should not be able to. The parts are out there on Ebay for a reasonable cost.

Thank You
Johnathan
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Putting motor in neutral

There is no way to "put the powerhead in neutral", Johnathan. All of that takes place in the gearcase.

The Manual means to put the gearcase in neutral. If the gearcase is removed it is not an issue.

Good luck on your project. The Mercsperts here can help you with any questions. :)
 

Laddies

Banned
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: Putting motor in neutral

The driveshaft has rusted or croded it's self into the end of the crank some one did not grease it when installing it. Try tapping it back and forth to loosen it. We have a clamp it's just made 2 pieces of flat stock with a hole drilled in the middle just smaller than the shaft dia. then 2 bolts on either end are tightened to clamp on to the shaft and you can usally drive the shaft uot with a hammer pounding down on the clamp
 

ndfool

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 23, 2007
Messages
30
Re: Putting motor in neutral

I figure as long as I use common sense and go slow I can not make it anyworse.

Do I need to pull the driveshaft out, before I lift the powerhead off?

I feel like I am asking stupid questions, but I have not touched a engine in 20 years, other than general maintaince.

Thanks for helping this novice!
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Putting motor in neutral

There are no stupid questions here, Johnathan.

Might be a stupid answer now and then. 8)
 

Laddies

Banned
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
12,218
Re: Putting motor in neutral

Except for the additional height you can do it either way
 
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