98 evinzuki 70hp cooling and lower unit rebuild

[eaglejax]

starting a this new project. Have a 98 Evinrude 70hp four stroke that a friend has brought to me. Has been running hot as well as motor knocking. Pulled the lower unit off and the driveshaft was locking. Forward and pinion gear are trashed so I'm going to rebuild complete. Question is, would it be a safe bet to replace all shims to match the originals as I remove them? I do not have a master shaft to check the driveshaft height but can assemble an indicator to check backlash. Question #2: Cooling; I have the lower unit off; Replaced T-stat and pressure valve then have a hose mounted to the water tube feeding the engine system. motor runs fine without over heating but no stream is coming out. Does the lower unit create back pressure to help circulate the water?, and by having it off does the water flush thru without coming thru the stream indicator?

 

[jakedaawg]

These lowers are difficult to set up. A bunch of sets of shims that compound on each other. I wouldn't reccomend doing it without the manual, special tools and experience. Just my 2 cents from a guy who has done a few...

you certainly can not just reuse or replace the shims with what's in there.

 

[eaglejax]

Model specific manual is on the way but will probably send the guy and his unit to the shop to have done. I will probably assemble loose and have someone check the specs. The cost of the master tools for different motors is too much for what little use I would get out of them. I only keep those tools for my personal motor. Have one question maybe you can answer for me before I get this manual. Why would Evinrude use a spring load setup on the driveshaft? I guess it supposedly eases shifting but seems like that would cause the pinion teeth to break quicker
Thanks

 

[racerone]

Gear teeth are always engaged.----The spring gas nothing to do with shifting.-----Shifting is done with a sliding clutch on the propshaft-----

 

[eaglejax]

Thank you. That I know but I don't see the purpose for the spring and collar under the driveshaft bearing and hsg. That spring sits on washers that rest on a flange on the driveshaft. Makes no sense to me.

 

[eaglejax]

Could you tell me if the 98 Suzuki DF70 lower unit is a direct bolt-on to the 98 Evinrude E70FTLECS? I believe it is since Suzuki built these motors but still waiting for tech support replies from brp and Suzuki. The unit is listed as NLA thru Evinrude but Suzuki listed as available. Comparing cost of rebuilding to replacing new.
Thanks

 

[racerone]

Check with ----Browns Point Marine-----They will know or have something for you.

 

[eaglejax]

Thank you