1974 50hp 50473m lower unit removal question

[bigjohn]

well, im not one to repeat a thread but i think i have an unusual problem,, ive been looking through the forum archives for this problem im having removing a lower unit on this 50hp mech shift, to replace a water pump,, here it goes

i have followed all the steps with the removal of bolts including the shift lever bolt under the carb, i did it all and cannot get this lower unit to drop, it wiggles back and forth with the stationary point right by the shift shaft in the lower unit,, its like there is an extra bolt inside holding it together,, you cant really beat the darn thing down with a hammer because well, the fins will crack or break, ive pulled it with wiggling action and still wont budge, i have a small gap on the end where the trim tab is but surrounding the pump housing there is only a slight gap,,,

question,, is it possible the drive shaft it just rusted inside the head and if it is, is it safe to put a little heat to it without melting any rubber gaskets up there?,,,, im so pee'ed at it trying to figure this out im about ready to take a sledge hammer to it,,

i did a compression check on the motor and i got 140 on the top and 138 on the bottom so its got some life left to it i just cant get to the water pump to ensure it stays cool, i just bought it,,,

thanks for any help,,, john

[boats.net]

Did you remove the bolts from under the trim-tab (above propeller)

[bigjohn]

yes i did, there is only one bolt on this model under the trim tab i just went back out and looked,, this end of the lower untit is free'de up its the other end im having trouble with,, its like there is a clip im missing on the drive shaft but i dont find anything in the manual about a clip, and i looked for it,, im just wondering if the drive shaft was put together by one of the previous owners with a sealer that may have made it so the shaft is stuck,,, i hate to have to take off the power head to find that out, lol

i have to ask this,, is it necessary to remove the prop and drain the gear oil for me to drop this lower unit?, thats about the only thing i havent done,,, very confused and trying real hard not to look for another lower unit just so i can get this one off by force, i'de really like avoid it,,, thanks for responding,,, John

[boats.net]

No you do not need to drain the lower unit lube to remove. If you cannot get the lower unit off any other way, then you will have to remove the power head to get it to drop.

[bigjohn]

thank you, i will update, i have it separated enough to see it has a chrome impellar housing, raining here today so surgery will have to wait,, thanks,,john

[bigjohn]

understand im just a low level mechanically inclined nobody, i have to ask this:

is it really necc***ary to remove the flywheel when removing the powerhead, im just trying to avoid an unecc***ary move here,, the drive shaft is not attatched to the flywheel is it, cant be that long i have a spare shaft and it is no where near that long...

also will i need to remove the exhaust housing to get to a unseen stud holding this PH on?

looking at it all it looks like is i need to remove the motor mount bolts ,4 total,, should come off right?,,,thanks,, john

[boats.net]

No you do not need to remove the flywheel or the motor mount bolts, you will need to remove the midsection to power head bolts. Powerhead should lift off, if it give you problems then not all bolts were removed. You should invest in a service manual, the following link should ***ist you.

Original outboard product and service manuals for Johnson, Evinrude, Gale, and OMC

[bigjohn]

i actually have a manual, lol, and thats why i asked if flywheel needed to come off, because in the manual it says i need to take of FW and stater among other pieces i didnt see why i needed to take off,, im just following their instructions,, im glad you confirmed my feelings,,,will let you know how its going,, thanks again

[jameshester]

if you remove all the bolts and took the shitf arm off ....but the motor in reveres and turn the lower unit a little wiggle and it should drop down ...my 70 was the same way i had to give mine a little pull

[bigjohn]

thanks james, i actually tilted it forward all the ways and took 2 strap ratchets and hook them to the bumper of my van, safest way i thought of pulling on without damaging side fins, did not work, this sucker is stuck on good, ,, i have the powerhead ready to lift off just waiting for buddy of mine to bring a engine hoist over to remove straight up off the shaft,, i also tried to wiggle and pull method for a week, serious,, it has newer parts on it from previous owner, i am ***uming that he use sealant on the drive shaft, wont know until i get that PH off, never had this much problem before separating a Lower Unit,

[bigjohn]

ok, mr. boats .net, i bow to your expertise,, i can not get the power head off or the lower unit off,, its stuck right at the shaft/powerhead point. i have done evrything,including heat on the shaft, force separation attempt, i can not figure this out, i figured heat as last resort but i can replace the rubber, i see you have the kits,,what the heck am i missing, im begining to believe i need to take the flywheel off like manual says, but that makes no sense as the shaft does not got up to that nut on top of the FlyW.,,, i've never ever had this much problem.

any ideas what ive missed?

i can snap pictures if you need them.

[bigjohn]

well i got it off finally, i had to use a 2 ton jack between the mount bracket and right up next to the shaft,, man was it rusted in there, took 3 weeks to get that darn thing apart, lol, broke the lower cover but picked one up for cheap, all i need it a frame bracket and i'll be ok to go,, one thing i noticed while its apart now, the moron that put it together didnt put a gromit at the base of the water tube, no wonder it was over heating,, jeepers,,, any way, if anyones reading this, i hope it helps you if your having the same problem,,, no other way to get that separated, it had to be done,, later, john

[boats.net]

***, that is crazy. Be sure to grease the drive shaft when you put it back together. Hope that seal solves your problem. You should probably change water pump impeller while you are there.

[bigjohn]

Take a look at this shaft, it almost looks like they forced it on,, by all the new parts that were on it surrounding it i'de say they had problems finding a shaft for it and just stuck the old one back on,, jeepers,, the quest for a drive shaft carries on,, john