Reinstalling lower unit on

[basstron11]

So I am about a 1/4 inch from the lower unit getting flush but it’s still won’t go in all the way. The splines are lined up and the shift splines too. And as far as I know the water pump rod is in good too. Something is off just a little bit Any ideas? Or any good videos to share? One thing I didn’t do is leave it in gear when I took it off so that was a learning curve.

[JOE54]

put a bit of oil on copper tube so it slides into w/p seal , wiggle shift handle to be sure its dropped down on splines of shift shaft ,,,,, what engine we working on here hope its a v6 merc

[basstron11]

Yes it’s a 1999 175 efi

[basstron11]

The shift shift is definitely connected good.

[SilverFox579]

Has it ever done that before or is this something new?

Reason I ask is the lower unit on my Optimax never goes all the way in due to guide pin interference fit. Have to fight the same interference when dropping the lower.

[paulrodbender]

Does this engine have the crankshaft carrier that possibly fell out?

[basstron11]

I’m not aware of any previous issue. This is a replacement lower unit new I am trying to get on.

[SilverFox579]

Mercury or aftermarket lower unit?

[basstron11]

It’s from SEI I can’t see anything that is diff from the original

[lpugh]

find the locating dowl pins and check the mating hole, may have a dowl in both sides

[lpugh]

find the locating dowl pins and check the mating hole, may have a dowl in both sides
being a SEI holes may even be missing for dowls or to small

[JOE54]

Does this engine have the crankshaft carrier that possibly fell out?

wouldnt go near that far up when carrier falls out

[JOE54]

find the locating dowl pins and check the mating hole, may have a dowl in both sides
being a SEI holes may even be missing for dowls or to small

i know thats right ^^^^

[SilverFox579]

find the locating dowl pins and check the mating hole, may have a dowl in both sides
being a SEI holes may even be missing for dowls or to small

[paulrodbender]

wouldnt go near that far up when carrier falls out

Good point......

I just reinstalled my lower unit a month ago or so and I believe I had to put the prop on and spin it just a tad to get the lower all the way on. Sometimes it's a struggle and other times it falls right into place.

[EuropeanAM]

Two things I've seen:

1. DRY water tube seal (lube it with 2-4-c then put the nylon guide tube in place)

2. TWO (2) water tube seals installed in water pump housing. ***

*** When you buy an OEM Mercury/Quicksilver Water Pump Kit/Housing, the seal is ALREADY IN the housing. Don't stack another one in there, and the FLAT SIDE goes DOWN!

[basstron11]

I’ll give it a shot again this weekend. Thanks guys for the tips. Still on the mend with this fix

[JOE54]

Good point......

I just reinstalled my lower unit a month ago or so and I believe I had to put the prop on and spin it just a tad to get the lower all the way on. Sometimes it's a struggle and other times it falls right into place.

remove the cowling hold the gearcase up against the splines and turn the flywheel clockwise with 15/16 socket , i do it every day sometimes 3 or 4 times a day

[paulrodbender]

remove the cowling hold the gearcase up against the splines and turn the flywheel clockwise with 15/16 socket , i do it every day sometimes 3 or 4 times a day

Good tip Joe. Don't know if I'll be able to hold the lower and reach the flywheel at the same time but I'll try it next time. Sometimes it's a piece of cake and other times, it's sweats and swears.
I'm sure you and Don have done thousands and they probably go in just by you guys looking at them.

[JOE54]

like putting socks on a rooster