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1989 Evinrude 50hp Lower Unit Compatibility

A

_Abbas

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Hey folks! So I have a 1989 Evinrude 50hp outboard motor that seems to have blown some gears in the lower unit. I disassembled most of the unit with the help of Youtube videos and was in the process of trying to pull the gear housing out to get to the gears and got stuck, so I took it to a mechanic for help with the pulling. Long story short, he said it would be cheaper to buy another lower unit and just pop it on.

So I've found a gentleman nearby who is selling a 1973 Johnson 50hp Outboard that looks to be in pretty good condition, as does the lower unit. I was wondering if the lower unit from that Johnson would be compatible with my Evinrude. I know generally they're compatible, but I was unsure with the 16 year gap and I cannot find any information about gear ratios and whatnot.

Thanks!
Abbas
 
Those units are not considered robust.------It depends on your location I suppose , but they are not easy to find.----Your location ?
 
racerone said:
Those units are not considered robust.------It depends on your location I suppose , but they are not easy to find.----Your location ?
Click to expand...

I'm down in central Texas, a little north of Austin. I'm currently trying to read up on how to take out the carrier bearing as that seems to be what is seized. I've tried drowning it in engine degreaser, some good old WD-40, and then using a universal puller with some 1/4-20x12" bolts. I crank that thing as hard as I can and it doesn't even budge.

I tried adding some photos to the post, but I was having some trouble. I've uploaded them to imgur here: https://imgur.com/a/7kkxvbu
I attempted to show you what I'm dealing with. Ugly, I know, but it's my first boat so I figured I'd start small then get big :)
 
scalhoun506 said:
O that could be a tough one, some say the magic penetrating juice is 50/50 acetone/ATF
Click to expand...
That sounds good, I might have to give that a shot.

On another one, the mechanic I went to had mentioned that the outer ring that looks chipped (to the right in the first image, right above the clip) is like another giant nut and recommended just chiseling away at it with a hammer and screw driver - what do y'all think about that? He mentioned it should normally just screw in and sit there, but it looks like it won't unscrew due to corrosion.
 
You remove the sacrificial anode piece.------Then the 2 bolts with the tabs.----Then bearing housing pulls out.------There is no " GIANT NUT " in there.
 
racerone said:
You remove the sacrificial anode piece.------Then the 2 bolts with the tabs.----Then bearing housing pulls out.------There is no " GIANT NUT " in there.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's really good to know. Most of the youtube videos I found didn't show the sacrificial anode. I might end up just having to chip it off if I can't find a way to unscrew it.

Appreciate it :)
 
There are 2 wee bolts that hold the sacrificial anode on , it DOES NOT unscrew.-------It should fall off if the bolts are out.---------If this lower unit has been molested by a previous ower than my advice might be confusing to you.-----On a normal unit you remove 2 screws to get the anode off.----Then 2 screws and the tabs.----Then bearing housing pulls out.
 
racerone said:
There are 2 wee bolts that hold the sacrificial anode on , it DOES NOT unscrew.-------It should fall off if the bolts are out.---------If this lower unit has been molested by a previous ower than my advice might be confusing to you.-----On a normal unit you remove 2 screws to get the anode off.----Then 2 screws and the tabs.----Then bearing housing pulls out.
Click to expand...

That makes sense, I did remove 4 bolts total - 2 with tabs, 2 without tabs. I'll see what I can do this evening as far as pulling the sacrificial anode out and then working on pulling the bearing housing out after that.
 
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