Fish-Hawk.Net

1998 25hp Johnson.
I removed the six bolts on the lower unit, and it slid down 1/2".
I shifted it into forward as many claim you need to do. The lower unit then went flush again. I shifted back to neutral, and 1/2" gap. I shifted to reverse, now 1" gap.
Regardless I can't get the lower unit loose.
I've read, but not understood, then you may need to disconnect the shifting pipe to lower the unit by removing a clip or bolt located below the carb....Well, I found the carb, and I found a bolt, but I couldn't budge it for the life of me.

Any ideas? Or better yet, anyone want a case or two of beer if they can show me how to change an impeller?

Hi Sportpal

Try this link http://brokeboats.com

go to the Water pumps page - lots of info

Hope this helps

Alrighty.
I'm a computer tech.
I'm no outboard mechanic....so I sat and looked at it, and had a pop.
Then I said, hey, whats behind the fins. So I removed the fins and found a pressure fitting. Removed the pressure fitting, and the lower end moved a ittle more. So then I went back to working on that bolt below the carb. 20 Minutes later and a really sore wrist, I took that bolt out too, and as I did, the lower end slid out.
So, I've replaced the impeller now, but unfortunately, I got so excited that the lower end came off, that I didn't really look at where the "lock" fell out of, but well, its 50/50 top vs bottom guess, so I'll take a guess and see what happens.
Unfotunately, the gasket suffered a small tear, so its off for some gasket sealer before re-assembling.

Everything is back together now. I'm hoping I put everything together properly. I had some issues getting it to catch when starting it, but I think this is due to the battery being weak from trying to start it so often.
The battery is on the tricklecharger now, so I'll post more when its charged.