Mercruiser 165hp Alpha One Outdrive 19' 1975 formula thunderbird
 

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

Mercruiser 165hp Alpha One Outdrive 19' 1975 formula thunderbird
 

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

Mercruiser 165hp Alpha One Outdrive 19' 1975 formula thunderbird
 

"sonofadocker" wrote in message
oups.com...
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

I think you would be more comfortable working this problem on the dry. Can
you get towed to your ramp?
Failing that try this. Disconnect the hydraulic line on the stern drive side
of the reverse lock valve, if there is such a valve on your boat. Disconnect
the other hydraulic line which should go directly to the trim pumpThe real
old drives had a reverse lock valve and a relief valve on the trim pump
resavoior. If you want to diddle with that stuff, you need to read your
manual. I honestly can't remember anything about them except that they exist
in the real old Mercruisers.The drive should drop down under it's own
weight, while oil squirts out of one of the lines.If nothing happens, You
need to stand on the stern drive and see if it will move. If not, jump on
it. Still no Joy? There is only one more thing to try. Disconnect the rear
ends of the trim cylinders. You might want to have an assistant in the boat
to hold the bitter end of a line that you have secured to the skeg.
Otherwise the drive will drop like a rock and potentially cause some damage.
Keep in mind that you can't run the boat in reverse with the cylinders
disconnected. If you still aren't able to get the drive down, your
driveshaft is probably rusted to the engine coupler.
Jim