Struggling to install lower unit....Force 90Hp

[clattin]

I'm really struggling to get the drive shaft splines to match up when trying to reinstall the lower unit. Both the lower unit is in gear as well as the shifter in the boat. I'm trying to turn the prop a little and make them nest together. Using a ratchet strap and a rubber mallet to tap the prop a little. Any other suggestions?

Chris

 

[racerone]

Have your assistant slowly turn the flywheel while pushing the lower unit up.------It should slide together.

 

[ThomW]

Is the ratchet strap tight? If its ratcheted too tight, you wont be able to turn the splines.
Loosen the strap a little, and with the lower unit and shifter both in forward gear, lift up on the lower unit until it stops, turn the prop clockwise with your hand a little until it goes in the rest of the way. Don't hit the prop with a mallet or force it up with a ratchet. That will only ruin the splines.
Did you make sure your water tube is lined up correctly?

 

[clattin]

So it's really hard to turn the prop with the lower unit in gear. I was given this boat and motor and I found the lower unit was cracked. I'm guessing from water infiltration that froze. I put JB Weld on the crack but I wonder if it damaged the gears somehow?

 

[ThomW]

A crack in the lower unit is never a good sign. Could be water in gear lube froze over the winter...could be the lower gears were destroyed....could mean issues. Regardless, the prop should not turn easily when it is in gear...you should only have to turn it a little bit to get the splines to line up. If you can't do that...like Racerone stated, you could also have a buddy turn the flywheel with a wrench while you slide the lower unit in.

 

[tg3690]

Take the spark plugs out and the flywheel will turn real easy....like racerone said get a helper to turn it while you muscle the LU on. Good idea to at least remove the plug wires when moving the flywheel anyway.

 

[racerone]

If the lower unit was cracked from water freezing inside you might as well STOP.------Take lower unit apart or inspection.-----Might start looking for a used gearcase I say.

 

[jerryjerry05]

IF??? both are in gear(shifter/lower unit) then as you raise the lower reach down and lift up on the prop ear with your right hand and continue lifting when the splines mesh.
Before you try that: try spinning the prop while it's off, if it doesn't turn then you need to figure out why???