1976 evinrude 20 Hp (model#206B62D) replacing water pump

[chris206B62D]

Hi,

I am working on removing the lower unit to replace the water pump. I have removed the exhaust plate and disconnected the shift linkage. I tried removing both the lower and upper screw on the shift linage connector. With the screws removed, the lower unit is being stopped by something once it comes out about 3/4 inch. I think it should just slide out once the shift linkage is removed. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Chris

[boats.net]

Did shift shaft separate from clamp, sometimes shaft will get stuck in clamp holding upper and lower shift shafts together and have to pry it apart.

[chris206B62D]

The shift shaft did separate from the clamp. I gently pried at the shift shaft to see if there was something blocking it and it seemed to move freely. Another forum suggested the drive shaft splines are stuck in the crankshaft. I am not sure how that would impact the removal of the lower unit.

[boats.net]

Yes if all the bolts are out and shift shaft is free then it has to driveshaft splines stuck in crankshaft.