Can't get lower units back on

CDLongJr · #1 05-29-2011, 12:06 PM

I lack several inches from getting the lower units back up to bolt them on. What am I doing wrong?

BLKHAWK · #2 05-29-2011, 12:52 PM

use a socket to turn flywheel top of engine to line the shaft up and make sure its in the same gear as when u took out easier with 2 people

workinpr0gress · #3 05-29-2011, 02:58 PM

When you pulled the lower off did you lose the o-ring on the input shaft and now when you put it back together it's getting crushed in the splines of the crank? Is the shift rod maybe contacting the linkage instead of sliding into it's slot? Sometimes if it plain old didn't come apart nice it won't go back together nice either, it could just be that. Good luck

Bryan A. · #4 05-29-2011, 10:09 PM

What engines???

That info would help immensely.

Edit; I guess mariners after reading the other post, I would say o ring if everything else is lined up.

doodlebug · #5 05-30-2011, 12:21 AM

Sounds like the water pickup tube is not alining in the top of the water pump housing. I always install the merc mariner
lower units in forward so I can turn the prop to engage the
driveshaft splines, then start the forward nut of the lower
unit without a washer to hold the lower unit while I align
the shift shaft splines. make sure the control box is in forward when doing it that way. grab the shift shaft where it is exposed in front of the exhaust housing and stab the shift splines from there.

Bigshrimpin · #6 05-30-2011, 09:51 AM

If you don't have a second person to help . . . a ratcheting tie down strap helps so you can line up the shift shaft and the watertube . . . you should have the little pvc tube in place to guide the tube into the top of the water pump housing. Doodlebugs advice about putting the motors in forward is right on.

red20 · #7 05-30-2011, 09:58 AM

I always put my Mariner in reverse. Guess it doesn't really matter as long as you can move the prop to line up the splines.

2182 · #8 06-01-2011, 09:58 AM

helped a friend do water pumps last week. he bumped motors on for a second at a time when we ran into this same problem. also make sure you start by putting it in forward as opposed to after foot is off, or else the shifting will be wrong. yes i learned this the hard way.

CDLongJr · #9 06-05-2011, 05:00 AM

Got them in. Ended up using the ratchet strap, lowered the engines and turned the flywheel.
Thanks for all the help guys. Boat's been out of the water for 3 seasons. No extra money for maintanence. This season wife said "no water, no boat". Sooo, I decided to tackle the work myself. Couldn't have done it without this forum!
CD