repairing/replacing lower unit on 73 40 hp mercury outboard

[amepps84]

I have been looking for a replacment for my '73 40 HP Mercury outboard for about a year. I found one for a reasonable price but now the drive shaft is about 2 inches too long. Is there a way to remove the drive shaft from my busted lower unit and out it on my new one?
I have also thought about getting a proffesional welder to cut the extra inches out of the new shaft so it will fit. Is this a good back up plan or so I need to start over from scratch?

 

[carholme]

Re: repairing/replacing lower unit on 73 40 hp mercury outboard

84;

here is a link to the parts listing for that engine:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/460.cfm

If you look under GEAR HOUSING ASSEMBLY, COMPLETE (PAGE 1), you will see item 12 which attaches the pinion gear to the bottom of the driveshaft. You have to get in there to remove the nut and the pinion gear and then you can remove the driveshaft.

If you look under GEAR HOUSING ASSEMBLY, COMPLETE (PAGE 2), you well see item 68, Bearing carrier which will have to be removed to gain access to the pinion nut described above.


Gerry