question on water pump installation

[kentrx1]

have watched a video, read from a service guide, and read directions online on how to install water pump on my 1991 60hp mariner------but there seems to be a difference on whether to leave the gear in forward, neutral, or reverse. could anybody share with me their experiences on the best way to do this so the reinstallation of lower unit is easiest? thanks.

 

[jeffdjpeat]

Re: question on water pump installation

i had a ton of problems with mine, had the thing apart 30 times, not because of the same issue, but i think im a bit of a pro now. I was told reverse. put the boat in reverse before removing the lower end, and spin the prop to line it back up, then triple check everything before starting the engine. i tried mine in forward once, went to the boat launch, and something must have slipped, i went to back out and i was going forward, kinda scary. put the motor in reverse, and turn the prop counter clockwise to line the bottom end back up during re-install.

 

[kentrx1]

Re: question on water pump installation

thanks for the info. i read somewhere that neutral and either forward or reverse but tension on something when you were installing, but can not find that article again. i will give it a try leaving it in reverse!

 

[kentrx1]

Re: question on water pump installation

is putting it in reverse how most do it here?

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: question on water pump installation

On my '86 50hp I found nuetral was the best. The linkage on the lower unit would rotate too far and not line up properly..it was a bugger. The only downfall is if you have it in nuetral there's no way to align the splines on the drive shaft, so you have to try and fit it, low it and rotate the drive shaft a tiny bit and try again, until everything lines up properly. I had a devil of a time with the shift linkage, so gave up and used nuetral.

Ian

 

[kentrx1]

Re: question on water pump installation

the manual i have actually suggests neutral........but most things i have read either say forward or reverse.......just trying to learn as much as i can before i tackle the job.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: question on water pump installation

If your engine is anything like mine, then use nuetral. The lower unit shift linkage will sit in nuetral fine, but rotate a good half turn or more in forward or reverse, making it impossible to line up with the powerhead shift linkage. Like I say, the only challenge then is lining up the splines in the drive shaft, as turning the prop shaft will do nothing.

Ian

 

[kentrx1]

Re: question on water pump installation

if you pull the plugs, can you turn the flywheel by hand to line it up?