97' Johnson lower unit

[newbejohnson90]

Hey all new to all this just bought my first boat, it sat for 4 months and wasn't ran in 6... here is my issue as a precaution I purchased new battery new plugs drained fuel tank and put new gas/oil mixture as according to Johnson site... took it out for a run it overheated in like 10 min I'm suspending it's the water pump so I removed all 5 bolts and had boat in forward gear trying to drop it it won't budge and is very tight am I missing something here it's my first boat so please help me out

 

[hidef]

Re: 97' Johnson lower unit

What is the model number of your outboard?

 

[newbejohnson90]

Re: 97' Johnson lower unit

Model number is xj90tslecm

 

[boobie]

Re: 97' Johnson lower unit

There's another bolt under the trim tab. To disconnect the upper shift linkage go on the stbd side and look for the arm that goes to the upper shift link and rod. You'll find a circlip in that arm. Pull it out and push the arm to port. This should disconnect the upper shift rod. By the way your mtr is a '98. Go to shop.evinrude.com to find diagrams of it.