Mercury KF-3 problem finding socket to spline sweet spot

[green-thumbs]

Assembly of gear case into  leg goes OK (screws line up with openigs and water tube engages) BUT splines of drives shaft do NOT engage socket  in crankshaft,…leaving a half inc gap between. Turning drives shft or pulling starter rope do not help,

Any tipss or should I keeep trying until somehow works itself into mesh,

This is final stage of a LONG off and on projects,

Thanks

 

Louis

[labrador-guy]

Louis sounds like you need a drive shaft shrink-er!   Did that LU come with that power head?  It looks like it is a little cock-eyed.   Old Elmer K did things a differently.  Maybe its a little too long!   Hacksaw optional!

good to here from you!

dale

Success is not final, failure is not fatal.  It is the courage to continue that counts!  W.C.

[green-thumbs]

KF-3 is a single cylinder version of KF-5. It combines alll ot the problems and none of the virtuess of each, motor if tjos example is typical of the breed, , To be fair it was worn out junk when I got it, How many tries does it take to get the sun, the moon amd tje stars tp align? Or am I missing something obvious to all and unkThanks

Louis

[A. Hoskins]

Double-check the fitment of the water tube, both ends. It is supposed to sit about 3/8″ into a socket in the powerhead.

Certified JB weld

[green-thumbs]

As a last resort seperated powerhead from tower.  Gap between gear case and tower remained.  Seal carrier is not fully inserted in recess so ger case has to be taken apart to see why and correct, Motor that was almost ready to leave bench lies in pieces, When resolved solution and photos will follow. A VERY LEARNING EXPERIENCE !

Louis

[opposedtwin]

Glad you got it figured out! I learn (and re-learn) something every time I wrench on these old motors.

[Aidan Smith]

I just serviced my lower unit yesterday in mine. Had to drop it to remove a stubborn screw and spent an hour getting it back in. Found that (carefully) standing it upside down on a block of foam let me see down in and perfectly align everything. I would say I enjoy working on the KF3, -5, and Mark 6, but I would be called crazy by many people!

 

Aidan

"Shells sink, dreams float. Life's good on our boat."
1949 Mercury KE-4
1952 Mercury KF-3,-5,-7
1952 Mercury KG-7Q

1937 Evinrude Scout
1938 Elto Pal
1946 Evinrude Ranger

[green-thumbs]

At a swap meet some time ago, a pile of used lower unit odds and end for motors in KF3/ 5 thru Marl 6 series. Included were a number of new water pump cartridges and seal carriers,  The drive shaft seal is the same for KF-3/5 and later motors in the series, BUT, the seal carrier for later models is too thick. Correct seal carr/iers solved the problem of fit and a dozen or so attempts had the splines in socket.

Next issue is why does water pump cartridge so deep in gear case that back slit in case is blocked?  Second version of cartridge with both ring and retainer in place,    It looks like an additional spacer ring might match cartridge to inlet slits, but, that is not in parts manual and would leave few threads for cover.

.

Louis     a

[Author]

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