1980 DT 50 Impeller Replacement

[CurtainClsr]

I rebuilt a pontoon boat left to me at the house I bought. Started out cleaning the carbs and engine ran good so I proceeded to put new carpet, new rails, controls, everything. Was basically pontoons with an engine when I started.<br /><br />Took it out last weekend and after about 15 mins, engine started cutting out in gear. Noticed no water at all coming out water outlet at top and engine seemed hot to the touch. <br /><br />After some checking around it appears I have to replace the water pump/impeller in my Suzuki DT 50 (1980) outboard. I ordered the repacement hit and I have the shop manual but it's a little vague about removing the gear case. Something about using a mallet and suitable drift at the top of the outboard, I guess to release the drive shaft and bottom gear housing. It's a little confusing, any one have any tips on this or a diagram? It looks like I should just be able to loosen the bolts on the bottom of the gear housing and drop it down, replace the impeller and put it back...

 

[CurtainClsr]

Re: 1980 DT 50 Impeller Replacement

Anyone???

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 1980 DT 50 Impeller Replacement

Don't know the particulars on that engine but you basically will need to remove all the bolts holding the lower unit on. There may be one hidden under the trim tab. You must also disconnect the shift shaft which is different on differnt models. Once the shift shaft is disconnected and the bolts are out the lower unit will fall unless rust is binding the splines on the drive shaft. I would focus on finding out how to disconnect the shift shaft.

 

[CurtainClsr]

Re: 1980 DT 50 Impeller Replacement

Thanks for the reply. We got the lower unit to drop down about 3/8", but can't get it to come down any further. We put the motor in neutral, disconnected the shift shafts and got the lower unit to drop partially. <br /><br />When we tried to pull the lower unit, the drive gear engaged while we were dropping it. Now it's catching solidly. Don't think rust is our problem, but every time we raise it back up, put it in neutral, it engages again as we're trying to pull it down. <br />Any ideas?

 

[jim dozier]

Re: 1980 DT 50 Impeller Replacement

Sounds to me like the shift shaft it not completely disconnected. There is a rubber plug on the side of the lower enginge cover just behind where the shift cable enters the lower cover. Remove the rubber plug. Inside there is a nut that should be removed. Once the nut is loosened or removed you can push this horizontal shaft in towards the engine. This will push the connecting pin out of the hole in the top of the vertical shift shaft. Sounds like the pin is still in the hole. Go to Fig 11 clutch on the 1980 DT65/50 parts blowup at www.brownspoint.com Good luck