[talsum]

How does the drive shaft come out of the powerhead when removing the gearcase? I want to replace my water pump impeller on my 73 Evinrude 6 and followed the repair manual to the letter. I got to the point of pulling the gearcase (lower unit) from the motor but it won't come out. I assume the end of the driveshaft is splined and would just come out. Any ideas? Thanks

[K Hultgre]

Will it drop at all, if it goes about 1.5" there is a chance the shift linkage is still holding or stuck.

[ezeke]

Have you removed the screw from the shift shaft?

[talsum]

Yes, I dropped it enough to loosen the screw to the shift rod but the driveshaft won't come out.

[Joe Reeves]

The top portion of the driveshaft may have a pin through it (sideways). Turn the driveshaft so that the pin will align with a clearance slot in the upper casing.

[Chinewalker]

You said you loosened the screw - did you actually remove it? If you did, then I would go with the turn the driveshaft suggestion to align the roll pin...- Scott

[rodbolt]

hello the 6 hp motors and the 5.5 hp had a pin until at least the mid 70's. once the shift dissconnect bolt is removed you have to rotate the driveshaft until the slot at the top of the gear case lines up with the roll pin at the top of the shaft. the pin is part of the crankshaft seal and must be replaced if damaged. good luck and keep posting

[talsum]

Okay, I figured it out. The roll pin had to line up with the slot and it pulled right out. Thanks for your help. The impeller looks okay. It was the pin that slides in the slot in the impeller and into the hole in the drive shaft. It sheared off. I'm off to get a new pin. Any ideas or suggestions while I'm in there.

[rodbolt]

hello yes, replace the pump with a new pump kit. if the roll pin at the top of the shaft is damaged replace that too. and going back up make sure you carefully line up the radius in the shift shaft with the hole in the connector block or it will strip the threads in the block and or screw. I think that block is about 20dollars now. good luck and keep posting

[talsum]

I installed a new pump kit and a roll pin. Installing the lower unit back on the motor went smooth. I lowered the motor in a tank of water and fired it up. It ran well but no water was coming (spitting) out the hole in back. It then started getting hot again. I took the lower unit off again to check it out but all looked okay. I shot some air in the tube where the water would be pumped up and it seemed plugged. Shouldn't it be open where water (or air) can go through.