[njbob]

Hi, I have a 1986 Evinrude 50 HP 2 cyl with VRO. It still has the original water pump and I figure its time to replace it. I have a Selco manual and all it says to remove the shift linkage is to take the bolt out under the carbs. I have lossened the bolt but the shaft will not come off. I expect I must have to actually remove the bolt. Are there any tips on how to dissconnect this? Do I need to remove the carbs and or VRO unit? Once dissconected from the shaft will the part that has the bolt in it be able to slide out when I remove the lower unit? How bout what gear should I be in? Any tips for assemly would be helpfull to.

[Cricket Too]

Hey Bob....You will need to remove the bolt completely, the bolt goes though the shift rod in order to hold it in, so once you remove it, the shift rod will slide out when you remove the lower unit. Be sure not to move(twist) the shift rod once you get the lower unit down, twisting it will adjust the height and cause you problems on re-assembly.

[njbob]

Thanks Criket, I guess the piece the bolt goes throgh stays on the shift rid. It just looks kinda big to fit through. I think I am going to remove the carbs for easier access. Looks to me like this shift linkage is the hardest part of the job!

[njbob]

Well I got the unit off. The pivot piece came right off the shaft once I tool the bolt off then slid off the shift rod. I had to remove the carbs and I can see I will have a hard time getting it back on. Thanks for your help.

[fireman57]

Just got done doing my '83 50hp and it's not too bad. Carbs have to come off unless you have a lot of time and want to make up new cuss words. I used my extended magnetic pickup to place bolt in the hole and then my short socket with a short extension to get it started by hand. After that it was an open end wrench.