88spl seized foot

i have an 88 hp rude that the foot is seized into the motor. everything has been detached on the motor. any help on this one? i trust this motor better than my personal truck. i can take all the bolts out of the foot and run my boat without my foot falling off. i just need help to try to figure out how to get my foot off

Re: 88spl seized foot

Assuming that you have removed "every bolt" that attaches the lower unit,including the one under the trim tab ,the unit should drop.Sometimes they are stuck at the horizontal joint and need a little coaxing.You can rap on the lower unit sideways ,just below the seam and see if she'll break loose.Don't use anything harder than a piece of wood to contact the lower unit fit.You can hit the wood with a steel hammer ,just not the casing.Is the shift rod disconnected?

Re: 88spl seized foot

sounds like the driveshaft/crankshaft splines are seized.I don't have a cure for that,except brute force.<br /><br />DHP

Re: 88spl seized foot

ohhh sounds like excessive maint to me. <br /> if the driveshaft splines are rusted to the crank slines then its hail mary full of grace and brute force time. are you sure you have all the bolts out? post us with each bolt and the head size you removed.

Re: 88spl seized foot

After you'v done what rodbolt and DHP says, do a search for an old thread named "screaming at lower unit"

Re: 88spl seized foot

DHP my marine mechanic said that it was the drive shaft and the crank splines are seized. I just hate to sell the motor knowing that shes eventually going to blow.

Re: 88spl seized foot

Doc-<br /><br />Did you mean run the boat in the water?<br /><br />If not, try loosening the bolts/nuts that hold the lower unit on about 3/8 inches a piece. Make sure you get them all. Back the boat/trailer into the water (make sure the straps are on tight!). Start the motor, and shift into forward and reverse a few times. Do NOT give it a lot of gas, and no need to 'jerk' it from gear to gear. Just a bit of gas in forward, a bit in reverse, a few times each way, easy does it. Then haul the rig out and see if the lower unit is loosened up. <br /><br />This has worked for me a number of times. Basically, you're counting on the heat/vibration/shock of running to loosen those splines. In forward the lower unit tries to rotate out from under the motor. The reaction off the front of the housing creates a tension on the driveshaft, allowing it to pull free from the splines.<br /><br />If you DID mean you can run it out in the bay & back, with all the lower unit bolts missing, well that does sound like it's STUCK. Time for the torch (cut the midhousing & driveshaft). I have yet to see an OMC get that far, though it is relatively common on older Mercs.

Re: 88spl seized foot

I never heard of legefinder's suggestion. But try it.I sure intend to next time I see this problem.<br /><br />Thanks ledgefinder ! !<br /><br />DHP