Reply To: 1985 Evinrude 9.9/15hp impeller replacement

[Mumbles]

Yup, put the motor in reverse before loosening the six cap screws holding the gearcase on. Doing this will lift the shift rod in the gearcase making it easier to get at the top bolt in the shift rod connector as the gearcase comes down.  If you use a  1/4″ drive 3/8 socket, you still might have to pry the gearcase from the exhaust housing a bit to get it in. Just make sure the gearcase is in reverse before putting it back together or you’ll never get that upper connector bolt in there properly.

Leeroys has some good info on the 9.9/15 horse family of motors.

https://www.leeroysramblings.com/Johnson%209.9_15.htm