Reply To: 1957 Evinrude Big Twin 35 Skeg interferes with gears.

[Don]

Well, as we know, those gearcase halves are made as a set, and are not interchangeable.  Even though guys seem to do it all the time.  One thing on a small engine, but another thing on a larger bigtwin gearcase.

I guess I would clean up the old cracked skeg and install it dry/so seal, etc.  If the prop shaft rotates easily now, then you have your answer..  I don’t think there are any other pins (like in the smaller gearcases) that could have been pushed into the housing causing this binding.  There is one pin that must be lined up on the rear seal housing though.

I’m assuming you replaced the rear seal, but seems doubtful that is an issue.  Are you trying to rotate the assembly with the pinion and driveshaft installed?  If so, perhaps there is an issue with those fits.

So again, if you are trying to rotate the prop shaft with the pinion/driveshaft installed, you may want to remove the pinion, reassemble and try again.  Did you replace any of the pinion bearings?  If so, perhaps there is an issue with fit/installation.

But, if you are trying to rotate without the pinion and things still bind, this would probably indicate that that skeg you found does not fit properly.  Again, these housings are a unique fit and are not meant to be interchanged, just like crankcase halves.