Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

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CurrentObsession

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I have a 1996 50 hp Johnson I am trying to change the impeller on. I have all the bolts off and it is hanging up on the shift cable/wire.

I have searched through the threads and I am getting conflicting info....hoping someone can set me straight.

To release the shift linkage do I take apart a bunch of stuff including the starter to get to the linkage under the carbs? Someone mentioned disconnecting a clip on the starboard side and pushing the pin towards the port side to disengage...is this right?
 
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scuba_redneck

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

Do you have any pictures that you can post of the shift linkage? Also, what model motor do you have?
 
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cyclops2

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

My Evinrudes have a small 2" x 2" plate about 3/4 of the way up the lower unit housing. I removed the plate & there is a 2 screw clamp holding the shifter rods together.
 
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scuba_redneck

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

Mine are similar, however much older. Mine are a 1960 model 10 hp evinrude and a 1973 18 hp. When I first broke the 18 down, the LU didn't want to come off either. After I made sure that I had everything unhooked and loose and a couple light taps with a 2x4 later I had a complete LU sitting on my bench waiting to be worked on. Make sure that if you do decide to strike your LU with anything that you do not beat it like a redheaded stepchild. A soft faced mallet or 2x4 work very well for this, but I cannot stress enough do not hit it hard enough to warp the housing or you will have a whole new set of problems to worry about.
 
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cyclops2

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

There is a thread near yours. Called. Hole in copper tube normal.

Look at the picture.......See the 2 BRASS screw heads on the left. My motors look like that. I ONLY loosened 1 screw ..........ONLY......1 complete turn......Did not want the screw falling all the way down then disappearing when lower unit is pulled apart. Can be tiring to line up the rod & clamp. LONG needle nose pliers did the job easily. So was a precut block of wood to hold the lower unit housing up while tightening the screw. ....DO NOT chew up the screw slot trying to overtightening the BRASS,,soft ,, screw...........Make sure it shifts smoothly befor putting the cover back.
 
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AlTn

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

currentobsession's linkage is not like the 10 or 18
 
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CurrentObsession

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scuba_redneck

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

Roger that. I can tell by the pictures that I am over my head on this one. Good luck to you CurrentObsession, I hope everything comes apart and more importantly goes back together well.
 
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wilde1j

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

Someone could really use a shop manual.
 
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cyclops2

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

Looks like you disconnect the shifter rod up stairs like you thought & get lucky. Put a block of wood that misses the lower unit by 1" under the lower unit. The water tube "O" ring may be loose or VERY tight.

Old engines eat bandages. :)
 
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boobie

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

The answer is right in front of you in the pic you posted. Looking at the shift linkage there is a cir clip. Pull that out and push the linkage to port and the upper shift linkage will disconnect from the upper shift rod. Check shop.evinrude.com for a good diagram.
 
mark1961

mark1961

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

CurrentObsession said:
I have a 1996 50 hp Johnson I am trying to change the impeller on. I have all the bolts off and it is hanging up on the shift cable/wire.

I have searched through the threads and I am getting conflicting info....hoping someone can set me straight.

To release the shift linkage do I take apart a bunch of stuff including the starter to get to the linkage under the carbs? Someone mentioned disconnecting a clip on the starboard side and pushing the pin towards the port side to disengage...is this right?
Click to expand...

Look at the port side of the motor on the the other end of the shift lever in the closeup pic you posted.....there will be a bolt there which needs to be removed that will release the shift rod.....you may have to remove the starter to get at it though.....probably why you cant see it.
 
mark1961

mark1961

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

CurrentObsession said:
Sorry...it's a J50DTLEDC

I looked at the exploded views and I can't find it (there is no "linkage" section)
Click to expand...

The linkages are in the "cylinder and crankcase" section......the bolt you need to remove should be item #26.

Btw, make sure you support the lower unit before attempting to remove that bolt.....
 
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CurrentObsession

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

mark1961 said:
The linkages are in the "cylinder and crankcase" section......the bolt you need to remove should be item #26.

Btw, make sure you support the lower unit before attempting to remove that bolt.....
Click to expand...

Okay ....will try today...thanks.
 
OutOfControl

OutOfControl

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

CurrentObsession,
Did you succeed in your removal?
I posted a GearcaseServicing instruction page from my OEM manual for another user. Although your engine size is different from those listed in the manual I own, it appears to have the same mechanism to remove the shift rod.
 
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CurrentObsession

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Re: Cant get lower off to get to impeller???

Finally got it off today......Thanks for all your help!!!!

Had to remove from SB side; the two shift cables and linkages, from Front side; the plastic cover on the carbs, from Port side; the starter and disconnect and move out of the way what I think is a fuel pump. I can't believe this couldn't have been engineered better.

I ordered the parts from iboats today. Hopefully they come quick before I forget how to reassemble:D
 
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