1979 Evinrude 35HP shift cradle screw

[vicalan]

Hello. My name is Victor and I'm a fishaholic.I had my boat out at the coast when I lost my shift cradle screw. I noticed oil leaking from that hole when I took it to the lake to flush it out. Did water maybe get in the lower unit? Do I need to take the lower unit apart or can I just flush it with Naptha and put the screw back in? Does anyone have any recommendations?Thanks for your help.

[WillyBWright]

Welcome to iboats.You can flush it if you wish. I'd probably just drain it as much as possible and fill with lube. Then run it once or twice and change it again. Hard part might be getting a new shift cradle screw in there. Shouldn't be too hard as long as things stayed where they belong inside. If everything shifts okay when you get it all back together, it should be fine. Good Luck. Remember the Alamo!

[vicalan]

Ok thanks.