On Apr 3, 6:23*pm, wrote:
On Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:03:01 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing

wrote:
Ok, I've got to ask.

Why the special tool and on what kind of engine?

Merc outboards use a taper pin with a big flat head like a nail. You
are supposed to be able to knock it loose with a screwdriver and a
hammer but all that did was bend the pin. I ended up grinding
something like a little tie rod sepataror to break it loose.
Before that design (late 80s) you had to drive it out with a drift
punch. When you get the lock pin out you have to drive out the
(corroded in there) pin.
I certaily like loosening up the bleed screw a lot better.

It was tricky, but in the middle of the wabash river, years ago, I
changed out a prop and key on a Johnson while floating down stream.
wearing a ski jacket and being held close to the motor with a rope, I
made very sure nothing was dropped, and thank goodness, because we
didn't have any spare washers or jam nuts.