replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

[f4igrad]

ok, I now have my boat up and running, in fact we used it all weekend and it was great. The leaks are gone, and the hull and floor feel very solid now. Next issue is the engine (1973 50 hp Evinrude). Once it gets to about 3500 rpms, it slips out of gear with a huge BANG! Makes for very slow going on the lake, so we don't venture out far due to the 8 or 9 mph cruising speed of about 3000 rpms.

I have bought an entire new set on ebay, comes with the forward gear, reverse gear and clutch dog. It is here, and I guess it is time to do the replacement. I am wondering if I can do it myself. I have a service manual, but I am afraid that I will screw it up and the water pump will fail or something else catastrophic. I don't really have the money to pay a mechanic to do it, and I don't have any friends that have experience with outboard engines.

What do you all think?

 

[OBJ]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Never fear....iboats is here......d

Follow the service manual.....is a generic or OEM? If you run into something your not sure of, give us a yell. Always somebody here that will help.

 

[f4igrad]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

it is the OEM manual. It isn't as detailed as I would like, but it isn't too bad.

 

[Walker]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

I think you'll need some giant snap-ring pliers.

 

[OBJ]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Yeah...the big snap ring pliers is a must....if there is an AutoZone near, you might be able to rent one. Those big snap rings can be a bear without the pliers.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Just take pix and notes and label and baggie what your doing. Leave a lot of beer at the neighbors. Watch what shims might be in there, and which ways things face, in or out. Run into a prob, post it, and go over and have one of those beers with the neighbor and wait for a reply. When ya get done and it works, send us your neighbors address, we will take care of the rest of the beer...

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

And here's a nice big picture of the lower unit that you can save or print out:

 

[Scaaty]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Think I will mention it one more time too.. Big Snap Ring Pliers! The diagram looks intimidating, but once things start to come apart, It s really pretty simple. Most will come out as one piece once ya get the carrier out. Good motor, so get her fixed.
PS #26 is what will be fun..get kinda corroded in. Put your favorite Go-Juice in there to soak in well too. PB Blaster good for this work.

 

[OBJ]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

With all this help f4....you can't miss. But the big snap ring pliers will make it go easier. Once you get past that, like the other guys said, pretty simple.

 

[f4igrad]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

thanks you all. i am not sure I have used snap ring pliers before, what exactly will they be used for in this project? Are the expensive to purchase?

I have ordered a new impeller as well as a seal kit for the lower unit, so when that stuff comes in I will work up the courage to tackle this project. I can't wait until I can actually get up some speed on this boat, but I am afraid I am gonna bite off more than I can chew with this project.

 

[Walker]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Big snap ring pliers to get parts 26 out.

 

[f4igrad]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

amazing what Google can do. Ok, so Harborfreight has snap ring pliers in a variety of sizes. Do you think these will do the trick?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45327

they are 13" internal ones.

 

[OBJ]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Yes....the straight ones. Should get the job done.

 

[tschamp20]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

soak #28 real good w/ wd40 etc. mine is stuck.still workin on it.good luck keep us informed for my sake!

 

[wilde1j]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

#28 (otherwise known as the bearing carrier) can be a buster to remove, especially if the motor has seen saltwater. It may require heat and a special puller to remove (I made one for a really hard one).

 

[Scaaty]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Yeah, forgot about the carrier. While at Harbor Freight, also get the Slide Hammer Kit..there cheap.
Once ya see what it is, you will know how to use it. Big sliding weight on a rod with hooks on the end. Don't beat the hell out of it...just gentle taps to free it up and out

 

[tschamp20]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

killer idea.thanks

 

[wilde1j]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

If the bearing carrier is really tight, a slide hammer won't cut it.

 

[f4igrad]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

ok, i am starting to get up the confidence to tackle this job. in the service manual, it keeps referring to special tools throughout the process. do I need these special tools? I am thinking it will cost a fortune to buy all of them. Some of them include:

driveshaft lower bearing installer
driveshaft holding socket
flywheel puller

there are a few others that don't even have a name, just a number.

can you do the job without these tools or do I have to buy them?

 

[dsinger]

Re: replacing clutch dog, can I do it myself?

Use a fly wheel puller on the carrier bearing and replace the rubber seals on the bolts that hold #28 I have noticed they stopped putting them in the seal kits.