Pinned Carrier on my Merc Lower Unit

[QuarterHorse]

I searched and searched and searched and searched and found a single thread on pinning the carrier on a lower. It was an OMC and was similar. I didn't feel comfortable on the Merc carrier using 1/4 inch bolts as the carrier only measured 7/16 across, but had purchased some to use. I wasn't comfortable with the lack of material on either side of the bolt after the 1/4" bolt was used. I then had a thought of mine spoken out loud by my Dad who said to use roll pins. So this is how I did it. I hope this comes up for easy searches in the near future.

Basically I drilled through the case evenly spaced between the webbing 5/32 holes and cut off roll pins to fit. This is how it ended up.




The leading edge of the carrier where I pinned it was 1 1/16 inch with a carrier measuring 7/16 thick. Shot for the center and drilled. Beat in some roll pins - there you go.

I'm sure there were other methods using coned washers and bolts, this eliminated all of that when the real need is to stop the carrier from spinning/rotating in the housing.

Perhaps I overlooked something but this seems pretty cut and dry after I got in the lower unit.

[timmc6]

i run one on my allison for years and it worked great ,tim

[inspectorlance]

Thanks for the post. i have a spare lower that needs the same thing.

[h2oskiier30]

What will you do to get the carrier out if you have to? Drill them out or what?

[HStream1]

IMO stainless steel set screws work much better as a carrier retainer and can be removed. Unlike hardened roll pins that will corrode and can't be drilled out. That lower will now have to be taken to a machine shop that has a EDM machine to remove those pins.

[QuarterHorse]

A punch set works just fine. Long enough to pin both, short enough to fall through the carrier when a punch is used.

[HStream1]

I see now you drilled all the way through case and carrier (not a blind hole). But how about the corrosion factor? Carbon Steel and Aluminum don't like each other in a marine condition.

[inspectorlance]

Roll pins also come in stainless steel.

[HStream1]

True!! But the initial post doesn't completely describe what he did? And SS roll pins usually aren't avaliabe from your local hardware store. McMaster Carr maybe?

[QuarterHorse]

Regular roll pins until I can find stainless. No worries

[HStream1]

Try McMaster Carr. I'll bet they have them in SS. Fastenall would have them also but typically they want you to buy a lot of 10 etc.

[inspectorlance]

This way of doing it seems alot more simple than tapping and counter sinking for screws. Good post.

[inspectorlance]

They use Ss roll pins in guns now days. Stop by a gun smith, sure they would sell ya 4 of them.

[HStream1]

Set Screws don't need countersinking.

This way of doing it seems alot more simple than tapping and counter sinking for screws. Good post.

[QuarterHorse]

Fastenal has em ordered for me. .10 a pop for 5/32 x 3/4