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Posts: 51
| Good afternoon guys, new to the forum as a member, but lurker for a few years. I have a question for you, my dad's engine needs to have the impeller changed out. We've taken the bolts out of the lower unit, but can't quite figure out to disengage the gear shift shaft to drop the lower unit. We've spent a lot of time trying to figure it out and thought i would ask here to see if anyone has any experience with these motors or things to try to drop this lower unit.
Jason |
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Posts: 3514
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Chances are there is a bolt that needs to be removed that is toward the under side of the engine. My guess is you take the bolts out and the lower unit only drops about an inch or so.
What you may end up having to do is take off the side cowlings of the engine (if possible) to access that bolt.
They can be kind of a pain, but once you know where it is and gain access to it, it'll come out easy and go back together easy.
Steve |
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Posts: 5874
| Is the lower unit dropping at all? If not, remove the trim tab. Could be a hidden bolt under there. |
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Posts: 51
| The lower unit is not dropping at all. We have removed the 3 bolts holding it... but seems like the gear shift shaft is what's holding it in place. Maybe this weekend we will take the side cowlings off to try to access the shaft that way.
Most engines you can access the shaft bolt just by moving engine into neutral. But we can't access that in any of the gear placements.
Any other suggestions out there? |
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Posts: 5874
| Did you take off the trim tab? I don't remember on my 50 Merc from way back, but I think there was a bolt under the plate. I also don't recall a gear shaft bolt. Mine always just slid apart. |
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Posts: 51
| yeah, the trim tab was removed... it's kind of perplexing to us as well. I may have to go buy an online manual to figure this sucker out. |
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Posts: 2686
Location: Hayward, WI | I just changed out the impeller on my '99 50 Merc 4 stroke. There are 5 bolts total - 4 on the outside sandwiching the plates together and one under the trim tab plate.
I scratched my head for a while as most seem to have a jam nut connecting the shift shaft together or have it splined with nothing holding the shaft together.
Mine was different - there's a clip under the front of the engine block that needs to be flipped up to release a pin holding the shift shaft in place.
My clip was located a little differently and a little harder to get at than the one in this video but the idea is the same. Shift the motor back and forth with the cowling off and see if you can figure out how and where it's attached. Maybe you have a clip like this one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv_8kTaNkAY
Tucker
Edited by curleytail 7/3/2013 11:32 AM
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Posts: 3514
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I agree...
there are 5 bolts that should be removed to get the lower unit to drop. Two on each side of the midsection and lower unit, then the the bolt under the trim tab.
One other thing you might want to check... just above the lower unit on the rear of the middle casing there might be a plastic cap. If there is, remove that cap and I I would bet there is a bolt under that as well.
I'm betting that once you get the bolts off and the lower unit drops, it will have a splined shaft that engages the lower unit. One way you might be able to tell if this is the case is to have someone watch the shift linkage when someone else puts the motor in gear either forward or reverse. If the linkage goes up and down, there will probably be a bolt (or tab as mentioned) under the front side of the engine. If the linkage turns one way or another, it most likely will be a splined shaft. splined is much easier to deal with...
Steve |
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Posts: 51
| thanks guys, i'm going to my parents house sometime this weekend... i'll take a closer look and see if I can locate the 2 extra bolts. I swear i couldnt find anymore, but you never know!
Also, i'll check to see if it's a splined or nutted gear shaft. Thanks for the tip to determining which it is. |
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Posts: 51
| Thanks for the help on this everyone...we finally had some time and did find the 2 extra bolts holding the lower unit on. Now, the problem has been locating a replacement impeller for this motor. I ordered one online, item 47-85089-3 and that isn't even close even though that is what the guy said. I think the motor being the "Magnum" edition is different from just the standard. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good place to call or order from that may be able to provide the correct impeller for the Magnum motor? |
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Posts: 152
| Jhillman, I recently had a hell of a time finding a replacement CDI unit on my 1989 40hp Mariner ELO. I would think you may have slightly better luck since yours is slightly newer, but most likely your best bet is calling around to a few different Mercury dealers and making sure their recommendations all line up to be the same part #.
I ended up getting a part for Skipper Buds in Madison (yes, I got raped on the price, but needed it the next day for a trip) and it turned out to be the "wrong part." it worked when connected, but the bolt pattern was completely different. Electrical parts usually cannot be returned, so needless to say, it was 'retro-fitted' and works fine. iBoats.com usually has better prices than dealers, something to look into once you have the right part number.
Otherwise, used parts places (there is one in Green Bay, blanking on the name and also one in the Wisconsin Dells called River Road Outboard or something) are good bets. Usually those guys really know their stuff.
Best of luck to you. |
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Posts: 2686
Location: Hayward, WI | Are you able to give the dealer your serial number? I've had them ask for that before so they know for sure they are looking for the right parts. |
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1996 Mariner Magnum 40HP Tiller - Lower Unit removal?