Disconnecting the cylinders above the prop will free the outdrive to
move up and down. But you cannot operate it with the cylinders
detached. It will go too far down and there will be nothing to take
the thrust of the prop. In order to run the boat you need to figure
out why the two cylinders will not go to the normal operating position.
You need to get them working or you need to idle to the ramp.

1975 is older than I have hands on experience with. I believe those
used a single hydralic line to each cylinder unlike the twin lines on
the more recent outdrives. There may be something else about that era
outdrive that needs to be checked. Such as a check valve or something
like that. Perhaps there are others on the newsgroup that have
suggestions. Or you can get a clymers for that year.

sonofadocker wrote:
The outdrive will not go down after the hurricane. The starter and the
trim electronics stopped working after the 12 inches of rain.

I want to lower the outdrive to take the boat to the boat ramp. I asked
how to get the unit lowered and i was told to open the oil lines and
lower the unit by hand.
The unit would not lower with the hydrolic line open.

If i undo the two trim cylinders that are in the water at the end of
the outdrive will the unit lower into position ? or must the oil line
be open and the cylinders unbolted ?

Thanks in advance

sonofadocker