Need Help: Removing the lower unit on a 1989 Mercury 15HP Longshaft Outboard

[JimmyJam79]

Hi, everybody! I can use a little help!

This is my motor, thanks to the fine folks of this community:

1989 MERCURY (15 H.P) (ELH)
Serial Number 0B397464
Model Number 1015311GD

I bought a service manual, but the manual i bought covers far too many engines and doesn't seem to include information specific to my engine.

I tried to remove the lower unit to change the water pump impeller. I removed 3 mounting bolds and was told the unit should slide off. I was unable to remove it because the shift leaver bar was attached to the shift link under the power head.

What is the right way to remove the lower unit from this particular engine without removing the powerhead, which seems to be the only alternative at this point.

Am I missing something? There must be a simpler way.

I got the motor running after changing the control switch and it runs great! From sitting so long, the water pump impeller probably deteriorated, and I get no water flow. I checked the intake screen for the water and it's clear.

Any help you guys can provide is greatly appriciated!

 

[windy5849]

Re: Need Help: Removing the lower unit on a 1989 Mercury 15HP Longshaft Outboard

Her is a video that should help you find and remove the shift shaft coupler without removing the power head.There is a flat washer on the shift shaft under the reverse lock rod that may fall off and must be reinstalled before sliding the lower unit back up and is not shown in the video.Hope this helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv_8kTaNkAY&feature=player_detailpage

 

[JimmyJam79]

Re: Need Help: Removing the lower unit on a 1989 Mercury 15HP Longshaft Outboard

Her is a video that should help you find and remove the shift shaft coupler without removing the power head.There is a flat washer on the shift shaft under the reverse lock rod that may fall off and must be reinstalled before sliding the lower unit back up and is not shown in the video.Hope this helps.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv_8kTaNkAY&feature=player_detailpage

Thanks for posting this, Windy5849!

Do you know if you have to remove the starter? l don't seem to have as much room as l'm seeing in the video.

Thanks again!

 

[windy5849]

Re: Need Help: Removing the lower unit on a 1989 Mercury 15HP Longshaft Outboard

I have a 1990 25hp Merc and I didn't remove the starter,although it would be easier to reach the shift rod if it were removed.

 

[JimmyJam79]

Re: Need Help: Removing the lower unit on a 1989 Mercury 15HP Longshaft Outboard

I have a 1990 25hp Merc and I didn't remove the starter,although it would be easier to reach the shift rod if it were removed.

Thanks for everything, Windy!