Impeller replacement

[Whitney tx]

I have a 1983 colbalt with a 260 mercuriser im replaceing the impeller and water pump i took the lower unit off some people tell me i should have put the boat in gear before i pulled it off i did not do this is this going to be a problum when i put it back toghter

 

[Don S]

Re: Impeller replacement

If you removed the lower unit and left the upper on the boat, you didn't hurt anything. The reason you put it in forward is to line up the shift shafts so they will separate when you remove the drive from the boat.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Impeller replacement

Don +1, to elaborate a little further you should make sure that the control handle is shifted to forward and that the gearhousing (lower) is also in forward gear when you put it back together, that way everything will line up properly. To place the gearhousing in forward: Make sure the stainless steel washer is in place on the lower shift shaft (short splined shaft in front of gearhousing), turn the lower ss all the way clockwise, rotate the prop counterclockwise till it locks and use a bungee to hold it in place. If you have to turn the prop to get the driveshaft to line up, turn it CCW only. Good luck.