shift shaft alignment question

[longshanks]

Well...

I've changed all the oil seals on the lower unit, and the last one to do was the one at the top of the shift shaft. Not sure if I did this in the correct order or not. I pulled the shift shaft out and replaced the seal, but now it seems I am unable to get that shift shaft to fit back into the shift cam in the lower unit. I didn't get far enough into the lower unit to see the shift cam. Does it have gears on it to match the splines on the shift shaft? If so, it seems as if they are not matching up. Motor is a late model ELPTO 50.

I'm hoping somebody might chime in with a suggestion. I'm hoping I don't have to take it all apart and try and get to the front of the lower unit to wiggle that cam around until it fits...

thanks fellas

 

[emckelvy]

Re: shift shaft alignment question

Without ser # or more motor info I can't say for sure if your lower unit is built this way, but this old thread will explain how to set things up so you can get the shift shaft back into the shift cam in the lower unit, without taking things apart. If yours isn't like this, it's possible you may have to pull the bearing carrier/propshaft out in order to effect repairs.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=264376

BTW you should be able to find a parts diagram at www.boats.net or www.crowleymarine.com which will show you the breakdown of your lower unit; this may give you some insight as to the design of your lower unit's innards.

HTH & G'luck..........ed

 

[longshanks]

Re: shift shaft alignment question

Ed, thanks for your response.

Incidentally, I already had the prop shaft out of the lower unit. Upon closer inspection, what happend was that the shift cam had fallen out and was sitting in the bottom of the lower unit. This would have been a real problem if I didn't have an extendable magnet. I reached in to the lower unit, picked up the cam, and put it back in it's spot, and slid the shift rod into the cam. Worked like a charm.

I've replaced all the seals and the next part of the job is to successfully align the lower unit and put it back on the motor.

Does the shift cam have to be in a certain position when it all goes back together? When taking the motor apart, I shifted the motor into forward before dropping the LU, as specified in the manual. I'm just wondering what position the cam has to be in to be 'forward'. My manual doesn't state this.

thanks for your help