Upper Gear Housing Removal
[1] 1. Mount the vertical drive assembly in a suitable holding fixture and clamp it securely. Unscrew the lifting eye A and leave the oil level hole open so the oil reservoir vents when draining.

[2] 2. Place a 4 quart drain pan under the lower gearcase. Remove the lower drain plug, discard the nylon washer, and let the vertical drive drain completely.

[3] 3. Note the relationship of the gearcase index mark and trim tab grid B so the two can be realigned later. Remove the screw C and trim tab.

If there is no grid, scribe a reference mark on the gearcase and trim tab so tab can be reinstalled in the same position.

[3][5] 4. Remove screw D under the trim tab, then remove screw E. Do not unscrew the anode screw F.

[6] 5. Take out the four bolts along the underside of the upper gear housing.

[7] 6. The upper gear housing is now held in place only by O-rings. Firmly hold the housing as shown and pull upward forcefully. Rotating the housing side-to-side while pulling will help free it.

[8] 7. Lift gear housing until shift rod head disengages guide pin, then rotate head of shift rod 90 degrees to port so head clears exhaust opening when removing upper gear housing.