How to remove shift linkage on Johnson 70?

[boatster]

I have the OMC manual in the mail but I thought I'd get a head start and check the condition of the impeller anyways. I've got all the bolts removed and the lower unit drops down but is hanging by the shift shaft. Where do I disconnect the shift shaft? I see it goes into a bolted housing on the lower unit. Do I have to remove that housing with the small gap I have between the lower unit and the mid section or is there a join somewhere else that I need to disconnect? Its a 1996 model btw.

 

[OBJ]

Re: How to remove shift linkage on Johnson 70?

You must first release the shift rod before the lower unit will drop. Look on the starboard side of the engine where the shift lever is. Look at the shaft that goes in back of the lower carb and you should see a retainer pin or hitch pin. Pull the hitch pin out and push the shift lever towards the port side of the engine. This will oven up the link that is holding the shift rod.<br /><br />Disconnecting the shift cable will help.

 

[boatster]

Re: How to remove shift linkage on Johnson 70?

Thanks again OBJ I'm off to drop the lower unit. BTW the smoke paint goes on great! Funny thing, all the paint on the Power tilt unit has come off. They must not have primed it or the anode went bad. Everything else on the motor is fine. Its interesting all the paint on the Power tilt flakes off without much effort! Hmmm...