Black Lower Unit

[Enticer1]

Just wanted to let you guys know what I found in my lower after losing reverse. I suspected that the surface where the clutch dog and reverse gear mated would be mush but was pleasantly surprised when I disassembled everything to find a broken $ 5.25 part. The shift cam was chipped on the end that engages reverse. Not much money but anytime you open the lower up you might as well replace all the seals and O-rings so basically for $ 100 I will be back on the water. In case your wondering I couldn't believe the condition of the gear faces (no noticable wear) the clutch dog had some viseable wear but certainly not ready to remove from service.

[Chris]

Good info Enticer, thanks for posting that up.

What did you buy, a complete seal kit and an impellar kit as well?

I know when I opened up my little punt motor which had lost reverse, I found a broken bearing carrier and a broken clutch dog.

It's good to hear yours was in better shape. :thumb:

-Chris

[Enticer1]

Chris, I didn't buy a complete seal kit. I had to piece it out after finding that my lower had been basterdized by a previous owner or repair shop. Although my lower acts and operates like an EZ-shift it actually has the bearing carrier from a cam-shift lower. The prop shaft on a cam-shift lower has a single oil seal ( which is what I have ) and the carrier on an EZ-shift has 2 ( an inner and outter ) oil seal. Ain't boats fun.

[Chris]

Oh lovely!

FrankenMercs, gotta love 'em. :D

-Chris

[Enticer1]

I was intimitaded at first but it wasn't that hard. I did have to buy 2 tools and I made the third. You have to have a carrier nut wrench and the bearing carrier puller made it very easy. I did replace the aft prop-shaft bearing in the carrier not because it was bad but because I damaged it while removing the old seals. I also replaced the lower shift shaft because I wanted to use the old one to make a tool for future use. After replacing the shift cam and and reinstalling the prop shaft I put the bearing carrier in the freezer and used a blow-dryer to warm up the lower unit housing. After warming up the lower for about 30 min's. I took the carrier from the freezer and after slipping on a new O-ring it slid in like butter. It went in far enough that I could start the carrier nut and the rest is history. This morning I remounted the lower to the mid and retourqued the carrier nut and folded down a tab on the stainless keeper. It was very windy so I didn't put the boat in the river but all seems well when shifting to both forward and reverse. I have another lower unit in the garage that just happens to be an off-shore model and already modified with a Bob's nose cone and LWP so my tools will not get rusty for a while.
FYI: I bought all my seals and O-rings at the local Black motor dealer, I found them all on line for less money but I personally believe that a lower unit is to important to take a chance with aftermarket imported parts.

[Enticer1]

We had a real nice day today so I finally got to give the lower a workout. And I'm happy to report that it performed flawlessly. It felt good to be back on the water and I didn't even encounter any ramp rage (LOL) I want to give a big Thank You to my friend in Clinton, Tenn that guided me through this repair (you know who I mean Randy)

Doug in Tampa:surf:

[Chris]

Glad to hear it worked out. :thumb:

It must be nice to have water versus ice as well! :yell: :D

-Chris