Can't Get Case To Separate T9.9 MXHQ 4-Stroke '92

[<Ken Young>]

I only wanted to change the water pump so I unscrewed the 4 bolts and the shifter shaft coupling expecting the bottom to separate easily but not the case. When I got the motor used last year I noticed a crack in the upper part of the lower casing. I sealed it with marine Tex and went about my way. The water pump went out on it later and finally got to replacing it last week. The halves of the case will not budge apart Ive tried tapping on the studs and case with a rubber mallet to no avail. Called around and heard alot of horror stories of shafts breaking etc. After I drained the crank case and gear oil I inverted the outboard and suspended it trying to use its own weight to separate it. Wedges and hammer still doesn't work. Thinking the end of the splined shaft is rusted to the powerhead connection I bored a 1 inch hole in side of uppercase and flooded the connection with penetrating oil. 2 days later it still hasn't broke loose. Any other tricks out there short of a bigger hammer or do I have a boat anchor on my hands???

[<boats.net>]

No sorry Ken there is no easy way to seperate a siezed Drive Shaft. You might want to take it to your dealer and let them look at it

[dancamp007]

have you tried running a torch around the joint over and over and over and over again tapping it all the time with the rubber mallot?

[JCOPP01]

Not familiar with your engine, however most outboards habe a bolt under the trim tab that has to be removed. Recomend getting a service manual and making sure all boats removed. Also consider a heat lamp or gun versus using a torch. If it has been used in saltwater use a lot of patience and keep working the heat, there will be corrosion around all studs in the lower unit.