lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

redbandit850

Cadet
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Messages
6
So my friend and I thought it would be a good idea to replace the impeller in the outboard. It is two years old and has been run in salt water for a few hours so why not. I should have started here first as we can not figure it out. My friend got the seven bolts off the lower unti and it dropped down a little bit but will not come off. Now the lower unit will not go all the way back up into place either. I did read that our mistake was not disconnecting something in the upper unit. Shift rod, bellcrank? not sure what we have to do at this point. Your help would be apprecaited as at this point like I said the lower unit will not even go back into place. We still would like to remove it if possible!
 

crabbydad

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Apr 20, 2009
Messages
75
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

you need to remove the shift rod bolt. it should be under the lower carb. close to the powerhead. some people remove the carbs for easier access. i use an extension with a universal, and a extendable magnet to retrieve and reinsert the bolt. i am assume this is the same as my 89. 140.
 

AEROCOOK

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
872
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

It likely wont go back up because the splines at the end of the driveshaft are not lined up with those on the bottom of the powerhead. This can be remedied by turning the shaft very slightly in either direction then trying again, it may take a few tries till it lines up but it will eventually go.
On my 1988 Cross flow V4 (Yours I think is a looper and may be different) starboard side down near the bottom of the lower carb you should see a retainer pin. Pull the pin out then push the shift mechanism toward the port side till you see the shift rod drop away. You should be able to take the lower unit off at this point.
Make sure the O ring is on the top of the driveshaft just below the splines when you reinstall and pay attention to the water tube to make sure it fits back into the water pump housing properly.
reattaching the shift rod can be challenging sometimes, I use a telescoping car antenna type magnet to help line things back up.
If you are going to perform any more repairs on the motor, a factory manual is a must.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

You need to disconnect the shift rod. The slotted screw that needs to come out is facing you from the port side of the engine, centered under the carburetors.

Getting the whole unit back in place will be much easier if you remove the lower cover/cowl from that side; pull the two port side clips from inside and the four bolts from starboard and it will slide right out of your way.

If you look under the lower cover you can see a little of the stainless steel shift rod as it enters the engine compartment.

Try not to turn the shift rod at all while working on the unit or you will have to reset to within 1/32" to have it working as it was.
 

fixmyevinrude

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Sep 18, 2008
Messages
205
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

Not exactly sure on your motor but usually it is under the carbs. If you carefully move the shifter back ond forth you should be able to see where the shifter rod is connected. You will have to disconnect it to remove the lower unit. A long rod (shifter rod) will slide out with the lower unit as will the drive shaft. Be careful not to bend it. Also the shifter rod may seem loose to you and you may be able to turn it. You don't want to do this as it is set at a specific precission length and if you turn it you will either lengthen it or shorten it. You probably should get a manual. At least get one from the library. The first time you use it it will pay for itself.
 

redbandit850

Cadet
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Messages
6
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

thanks for all your help. I ended up buying the manual online and that was a big help as well. I should be good to go now!
 

redbandit850

Cadet
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Messages
6
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

alright so got the impeller changed and got the lower unit back on but now the engin will not shift into forward. Im assuming the shift rod is out of position but im not sure? any suggestions?
 

ferrari175

Recruit
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
4
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

I am the one who removed the lower unit. Unfortunalty the shift rod is out of place and I need it back the the correct height. As stated the engine is a 1990 evinrude 140hp V4 I saw on another post that the correct hight for an evinrude 1993 88hp V4 was 21 27/32 is this the same? any help would be GREATLY appreciated as I can not located the proper hight in my manual or the online service guide I have and am trying to fix tomorrow AM to put in the water. Thank YOU
 

fixmyevinrude

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
205
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

Check the area in your manual that covers rebuilding the lower unit. I don't have a manual in front of me right now but I believe I have seen it in that section before. It will probably tell you that you need a special fixture or tool to set it. You may be able to get by with a yard stick if you are very careful, accurate and with some good luck. As I said in my previous post you don't want to turn the rod for that very reason. If you have not turned the rod you may have another problem. Best of Luck.
 

ken52

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
307
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

I have a 1987 140 Rude looper motor and I thought my service manual stated to have motor in reverse before removing.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

The correct height will be stated in your factory service manual at the end of the V4 gearcase section.

I believe that the correct measurements are as follows:

21-15/16" +/- 1/32" = Long shaft (20" models);

26-15/16" +/- 1/32" = Extra Long Shaft ("X" 25" models).

Measurement is from the mating surface of the gearcase to the center of the hole at the top of the shift rod in NEUTRAL with the offset facing forward.

You can make a fairly accurate tool for the measurement with a pair of inexpensive yardsticks and a crosspiece or two.
 

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ferrari175

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May 28, 2009
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4
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

Thanks for all the help, I found it in my selco many it stated 21.94in and we were right around there, installed it, slightly adjusted the throttle and shift controls and she runs like a dream.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: lower unit removal 1990 evinrude 140hp..help.

Yes, well 15/16 does equal .94, though most US measuring devices are not scaled that way. Glad that worked out for you.
 
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