Thanks Dale. Was just working on it and I got it to turn! Big screwdriver down the middle of the shock absorber with a wrench on it. Its turning pretty well now, but I can’t get either the pinion gear or the shock absorber to pull out. So back in the evapo rust to soak for another day. At least I now know I have a salvageable lower unit, so I’ll order all the gaskets, impeller etc.
Thanks again.
Jim
As previously stated, turn the gearcase upside down and drive the shaft out of the pinion gear using a large punch or small socket while trying not to lose the small Woodruff key which drives the pinion. If water was in the gearcase, these parts are probably rusted together so a big hammer and hitting it like you mean it should get these parts moving. A press will do it for sure.
Your pinion gear should be similar to the lower one in this photo.
