1958 Fastwin 18 lower unit won‘t drop

[AndyW.]

I want to change the impeller on this motor , removed the bolt on the coupler , the 5 bolts on the lower unit but it drops just an inch . When I twist it the flywheel moves so the shaft seems to get stuck

any tips on what to do ?

 

[racerone]

The shaft is NOT stuck I say.----If it moved an inch.------Try a little more effort I say.------Can you see the driveshaft moving inside the exhaust housing ??

 

[AndyW.]

Ok you were right , it came down with a bit more force but the shaft came off the lower unit !!!! Not good I suppose

 

[racerone]

Make an adapter to use a slide hammer tp pull driveshaft out of the crankshaft spline.---

 

[F_R]

The last guy that had it apart left the o-ring off the drive shaft splines, now it is rusted together. I hate it when that happens. Could even be terminally rusted. Word to the wise----don't ignore the o-ring!!!!!

 

[AndyW.]

Uh .. I don’t really have access to more advanced tools, actually this is the 1st time I try to work on my outboards.
just in case , I have found this online , would it be an option ?
„ So there is a back door to this problem. Tut the key for the water pump back in the drive shaft, which is still sticking out of the exhaust housing. File a slot in the top of the water pump housing, just big enough to allow it to fit over the water pump key on the shaft. Then assemble the pump as you normally would, minus the drive shaft, but line up the impeller key slot with the slot you filed in the housing. Turn the motor over enough to clock the pump key on the drive shaft with the slot you filed in the pump housing. Then, install the lower unit right back over the drive shaft, just the same way it came off. If your impeller pin is round, this is easy. If you have a T-shaped impeller key, it helps to put the key in with a dab of epoxy or red Loctite, and allow it to cure, so the key won’t twist when you’re installing the lower unit „

 

[F_R]

Uh .. I don’t really have access to more advanced tools, actually this is the 1st time I try to work on my outboards.
just in case , I have found this online , would it be an option ?
„ So there is a back door to this problem. Tut the key for the water pump back in the drive shaft, which is still sticking out of the exhaust housing. File a slot in the top of the water pump housing, just big enough to allow it to fit over the water pump key on the shaft. Then assemble the pump as you normally would, minus the drive shaft, but line up the impeller key slot with the slot you filed in the housing. Turn the motor over enough to clock the pump key on the drive shaft with the slot you filed in the pump housing. Then, install the lower unit right back over the drive shaft, just the same way it came off. If your impeller pin is round, this is easy. If you have a T-shaped impeller key, it helps to put the key in with a dab of epoxy or red Loctite, and allow it to cure, so the key won’t twist when you’re installing the lower unit „

Yes, that will work, and I have done it. BUT the original problem still exists. That is the splines will continue to rust away, till one day they will be gone and it will be dead in the water. How long?? I don't know. How's your luck?

 

[Crosbyman]

Have you tried soaking the top splines with some release agent by flipping the engine upside down and sending the lubricant down to the upside down powerhead via the drive shaft and wait patiently a few days.... then retry

if it does not work... flip it over again and resoak the splines by dripping the lubricant down to the powerhead ...rear end

retry in a few days

 

[AndyW.]

I will do that ! Don‘t have so money options not having access to a slide hammer or other pro tools

 

[tblshur]

make a long spray nozzle for penertrating oil slightly peck up on shaft to break loose not to hard clamp a piece of chain to shaft use hammer head for slap hammer just my thought you probably have better thoughts

 

[boobie]

Clamp a vice grip to the drive shaft and beat on that. Also a good penatrating oil is a 50-50 mix of ATF and Acetone.

 

[oldboat1]

Agree with boobie. A piece of leather or rubber will allow a better grip and protect the shaft from the vise grip jaws.

 

[AndyW.]

Ok I finally got a recommended rust solvent and tried the above mentioned. Flipping the engine over and sending the solvent down . No results yet after 3 days ... is there a seal that would prevent the rust remover to get to the point where it should go ? Hard to take a picture of it but it seems it is running down and gathers next to the drive shaft . Or am I too unpatient?

 

[racerone]

There is supposed to be an o-ring in a groove at the top of the drive shaft.-----Grease is to be used on the spline.----O-ring keeps water out.-------Many motors were not maintained properly.

 

[AndyW.]

So how will it gets to the spline - I thought I should spray the shaft and let it run down

 

[racerone]

At this time you do not know if the o-ring is actually there !!-----Many were left out by novice owners !