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

[boscovius]

It’s a 25028.  I know for fact that it is not the original lower.  I had a guy work on it for me back in the day and instead of just fixing my lower, he just swapped it out for another without consulting me.  Not cool.

It’s a bit a a Frankenrude in that it has had a starter and electric start flywheel added to it.  Between this lower and the other, working, lower, I have no means of knowing if parts were switched out between them.  I would guess they have been.  However, as far as this troubled unit is concerned, the prop shaft is near mint condition.  New clutch dog.  New front and back bearings.  New needle bearings in the housing, new pinion.  New pinion bearings. The gears look very new.  Though I do not remember replacing them.

I have yet to install the new thrust bearing washers.  I’ll try that next.  Probably tomorrow.  And I’ll try what you said about trying one gear on, then the other, to see what effect that has.

Something to keep in mind is that when I first started working on this, Marine Engine was my only resource at the time and because they don’t have a schematic going back as far as my model number I used the RD-19 for all my parts sourcing as it looked like a good match.  I do have the correct schematic now.  But as far as I know, most of these parts don’t have numbers engraved on them so it’s anyone’s guess as to what I have now.

So where it stands is that with everything installed except the skeg, everything turns freely via the driveshaft.  In forward and reverse.  Put the skeg on 99% of the way and it still moves, though a bit rough.  Tighten it down 100% and frozen solid.

Thanks for hanging in there with me so far.