Replaced rubber impeller now won't shift to neutral??

[PreachRick]

When you mate the two halves of the drive back together, you have to hold the lower half in forward gear the entire time, and have the shift shaft in the upper half pointed straight ahead, while the lower is in forward. To put the lower in forward, rotate the splined shift shaft clockwise while putting pressure on the prop CCW, it should lock. You can hold the prop with a bungee cord to keep pressure on it in forward.

Ok, I'm bought ready to pull my hair out Got motor split and down about 6 inches. Eric, you said "and have the shift shaft in the upper half pointed straight ahead," is there an actual lever or what in the upper half and one on the lower shift gear to see if it is pointed ahead, and can I see it in a mirror.

 

[PreachRick]

Sorry about the double picture thing

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Since you left the upper half bolted up still, have the shifter in the boat in forward gear. Look in the front of the drive you will see the shift shaft I'm referring to... It should be pointing straight ahead.

The splined shift shaft on the lower half gets rotated clockwise while turning the prop CCW into it locks in gear.. that will also be forward. It has to remain in forward while being bolted back to the upper half, by keeping pressure on the prop so it stays locked CCW.

 

[1960 Starflite]

I'm just wondering. If the upper unit is bolted up and in neutral, via the remote. Can the lower unit be installed if it also is in neutral?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

I'm just wondering. If the upper unit is bolted up and in neutral, via the remote. Can the lower unit be installed if it also is in neutral?

No... It won't work right. They both have to be in forward.

 

[PreachRick]

Ok, I think I got it. Thanks Eric, your the best !
New question:
Before I put it all together again, and seeing as how I started this post finding rubber chucks in the HE, is there a way to back flush it so I can remove any more parts of rubber pieces that might still be in the cooling system?

 

[ddrieck]

PreachRick,
When mating the upper case and lower gearcase back together make sure the shift shaft hasn't spun around backwards on you. If it has it will bind against the upper case housing and cause all sorts of headaches with trying to get it in gear. I say this as I just had it happen to me yesterday after I install an new impeller in my lower unit. Messed around for a few hours and finally figured it out.

 

[PreachRick]

PreachRick,
When mating the upper case and lower gearcase back together make sure the shift shaft hasn't spun around backwards on you. If it has it will bind against the upper case housing and cause all sorts of headaches with trying to get it in gear. I say this as I just had it happen to me yesterday after I install an new impeller in my lower unit. Messed around for a few hours and finally figured it out.

Thanks ddrieck, how do I tell if it is backwards?

 

[tank1949]

When they are mated, the shift shaft will be straight ahead and the prop will lock when you turn it CCW (while looking at the bow). Also, you have to have the shifter at the helm in Forward and the drive in forward when it gets bolted back up to the bellhousing.

I am assuming one motor.

 

[ddrieck]

Thanks ddrieck, how do I tell if it is backwards?

Look up under upper drive case and you will see the shift shaft. Make sure the rounded edge is facing forward (towards the bow),. I have circled the area in red.

 

[PreachRick]

Welllllllll I think I got everything right, but who knows, this Cowboy Dummie sure don't. Got it this far together but will not go all the way. Any suggestions???

 

[PreachRick]

Sorry, forgot to include pic. Let me give all you youngins some advice.... Don't Get OLD !!

 

[PreachRick]

Better pic

 

[PreachRick]

Opppps mistake, sorry

 

[nola mike]

Better pic

Lower driveshaft splines not lined up with the upper. Try rotating the prop CCW as you lift the lower. Or you have bits of the lower driveshaft o-ring lodged somewhere in the upper housing (didn't see if you removed the o-ring/checked for old bits).

 

[PreachRick]

Ahhh ha, I don't remember seeing an O ring on the shaft, thanks for the info Mike!! Gonna pull it all the way out and start over today I think. It is supposed to get warm today (122 deg) so may water till tonight.

 

[PreachRick]

Whooooopie, got er done !! Was in the hospital with covid for a month, I caught it in between initial shot and second shot. Sure not any fun, believe me all you yougins, GET THE SHOTS !! Almost didn't make it. Came home worked on the boat motor and walllllllla she runs and shifts right.
Just want to thank ALL of you guys for guiding this dummie, and for puttin up with me. You ALL deserve a medal ! Smooth sailing !!...... Rick