Can't get lower unit off

[mlonas]

I have a 1974 Sea Ray SRV 180 with a model 165 Stern Drive that won't go into forward. I removed the lower shift cable from the shift plate and pushed while having the prop rotated counterclockwise and it still wont engage. I decided to remove the lower unit from the bell housing to replace the shift cable but the unit won't come free. It slides back about 3/4 of an inch and then stops. Is there a trick? My manual talks about driving the nut off of the drive gear with a punch if the shaft is frozen, but I didn't want to attemp that. I'm not sure the shaft is frozen. I already twisted the head off of one bolt when I removed the top cap. I am finding out what a pain working on a 30+ year old boat is.

I have been advised to get the serial number off of the engine so that I can get the correct cable, but I don't find a data plate. I'm looking just above the starter but don't find anything that looks like the picture in my manual. Any suggestions?

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

Did you put the shifter into forward before you tried to remove it???

 

[mlonas]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

I did push the shift cable to the full forward position before trying to remove the unit.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

Then Look up from underneath the Outdrive,+ See if the shifter Shoe is Straight ahead,+ in Forward..........

 

[mlonas]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

I don't think I'd know a shifter shoe if it bit me. I'll try to find a picture in my manual. Any help locating it would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Scott in MN]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

It is sometimes tough to remove. I used a chisel to seperate the lower from the bell housing. Once I got it going, it came right off. Worked for me, your mileage may vary.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A2R3.PDF
"B" in the picture must face foreward as pictured......
Do not use a chisel on the mating surface between the drive & bell housing as it can result in damage.......
Try this....
Raise the drive & get a piece of wood of a suitable size to put between the drive & gimbal ring....
Raise it & drop it several times.....
Don't slam it until you have to.....
This is assuming that you have the shift shaft in the fwd position as previously mentioned......​

 

[mlonas]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

How can I insure that the shift shaft is in the full forward position? With the lower shift cable disconnected fron the shift plate, I push the cable as far as it will travel.... I don't know if it is travelling far enough as forward gear does not engage when the prop is roteted counterclockwise. When I broke the outdrive loose it moved about 3/4 of an inch and stopped. I could observe the shifter slide moving forward and aft as a helper pushed and pulled the shift cable. Maybe I am just not being forceful enough with my "pull". I will try the wood block method. Thanks, Haut Medoc, for the pdf file.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

The part pictured must face fwd......
Turn the intermediate shift shaft cw & the prop ccw, when it locks into gear maintain pressure to hold it there.....
At this point the intermediate shift shaft must face directly foreward, or it will be impossible for the two parts to index....
If it will not, then the intermediate shift shaft was not properly positioned when the upper & lower were assembled.......​

 

[ziggy]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

that a pic of the shifter shoe. it's layin on my back in front of the drive looking up between the gimbal...i'm in neutral. if i was in fwd. that piece in the middle would be straight with the rest of pic.....

 

[mlonas]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

It just dawned on me that my ignorance and improper use of terminology has caused me to mis-state my problem. In my original post I said that I can't get the lower unit off. I should have said that I can't get the outdrive off. I am trying to separate the outdrive from the bell housing so that I can replace a suspect shift cable. This is my first boat so I have much to learn. Thanks for your patience and advice.

 

[Don S]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

It appears everyone assumed you ment the complete drive from the bellhousing. At least the answers reflect that.

 

[mlonas]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

Thanks Ziggy!!! A picture is worth...well, you know. Gonna go make sue my shoe is properly aligned for forward and try to pull the drive again. I assume that its ok to move the shoe externally if it doesn't move when pushing on the shift cable. Thanks for the good info gentlemen.

 

[mlonas]

Re: Can't get lower unit off

The unit came off like butter once I properly aligned the shift shoe. Now to remove the cable and see who might have a new one for my little pretty. Any words of wisdom for the rest of the job? The manual seems pretty clear, so lets see if I can follow directions.

You guys are the best!