[greedyfreddy]

I have been on this all afternoon, 1982 evinrude 6 (but apparently a beglian derated 7.5hp) I having taken bottom foot off to get at impeller to check it, but the driveshaft has stayed on the main engine, how do I get it off to get the drive shaft key to locate in the impeller? i have a clymer manual and in all the pics it looks like the driveshaft should have come off with the foot. I am new to this caper, bear with me if i am missing something... I took it off as the motor is running a bit hot with poor/difficult restarting after running for a while and also no tell tale at low revs. as the bottom foot etc slid off the driveshaft the drive key fell into my hands, I assume it was not driving the impeller properly.

[F_R]

You are going to have to remove the powerhead. Then you are going to have fun getting the drive shaft out. You are correct, it should have come down with the lower unit. It didn't because it is rusted into the crankshaft. That is caused by somebody not putting the o-ring on the drive shaft last time it was apart. If you had not caught this, it would have completely rusted the splines out of the crank...if it hasn't already. You have to get in there and clean the rust out, lubricate it, and put it together correctly.

[greedyfreddy]

thanks for the help, It is starting to look more complicated than I hoped!! I have tried to use a bit of gentle force to pull the driveshaft down, i assume if it doesnt come easy, then the problem you have suggested would need looking at anyway? looks like oars for me for a bit!