1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

[key00pk]

I'm replacing the impeller. I've removed all the bolts on the lower unit but it still won't drop. Also taken out one of the screws on the linkage above the lower unit. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

So, it's split enough to get to the linkage, but won't go any further?

 

[key00pk]

Re: 1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

So, it's split enough to get to the linkage, but won't go any further?

It's split where I took the bolts out. But only about a half inch or so. I took the plate off the shaft above. The plate was held on by two screws. The plate was oval shaped. I think I was looking at the linkage then but not sure. I took the bottom screw out.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

Forgot the 18s have the plate. Sounds like your drive shaft is bound up a little. Try putting the retaining bolts back in a few turns, but still loose and spinning the flywheel some. Often they just drop right down during a good spin.

 

[1730V]

Re: 1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

The plate covers the shift rod linkage. Remove the bottom screw in the shift linkage, under that plate.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

The drive shaft is rusted into the crankshaft at the top. All this grief is caused by the last guy that had it apart didn't lubricate and replace the o-ring at the top of the driveshaft, letting water get into the splines. The driveshaft is stainless steel, but the crankshaft is steel and does rust.

All I can say is good luck. It may come out and it may not.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

That should do it. There's 4 bolts and a nut on the lower unit and then remove the lower screw (completely) on the shift linkage. It should drop down. You can try tapping lightly on the cav plate with a piece of wood and a hammer to free it up a tad. Be careful to support the LU though in case it drops... 2 people are good here.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1970 Evinrude 18 hp Lower Unit Removal

Wasn't gonna go to the rusted drive shaft right away. They _can_ just be stubborn sometimes, and a good turn of the crank does the trick when that's the case. Rusted drive shaft is the next possibility if that doesn't do it.