1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

[topfli8979]

I have a 1965 Super-Seahorse Johnson 40hp, RDS-27M# model.

I recently aquired this boat with hopes of having a good fishing rig. Took it to the lake this last weekend, started right up. It will shift into reverse and neutral fine, but when I manualy shift it will not go into forward gear, it just seems to click. I was told this is not the electric shift and does not require the Premium blend lower gear oil? Also when it is out of the water and put into forward gear the prop seems to lock into gear like it should.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

You are correct in that it is not an electric shift.
Have you had the lower unit off?
You might check the cable adjustment for proper engagement.

 

[topfli8979]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

No i have not removed the lower unit, was hopeing not to have too. I removed the shift cables, and manually tried to shift by hand, all I get is vibration on the shift lever and lots of clicking almost like its trying to get in gear but won't go fully.

 

[Daviet]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

Check your lower unit oil for any metal particles, thinking cluth shift dog problems.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

Remove the oval plate on the side of the leg and check the shift rod. Make sure both lower and upper shift rods are bolted into the coupler. Try shifting through the gears and see what happens. SHift rod should move up and down - same distance from neutral down into reverse and up into forward. Also check for play in the shift rod (use a long-nosed pliers). Could be loose or worn where the upper shift rod attaches under the powerhead.

 

[slappy1974]

Re: 1961 Johnson Seahorse 18hp Shift problems!

Re: 1961 Johnson Seahorse 18hp Shift problems!

Lindy, sorry to highjack your thread.
Same scenario for me.

I did take the lower unit off to change the impeller, and now I can't fit the male pin from the lower unit all the way into the female receiver coupling in the little window on the side of the engine.

Anyone have any tips on how to get that pin all the way into the receiver?

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

Shift into forward, then use a finger or long-nosed pliers to hold the lower shift rod as you shift back down into reverse. Lower shift rod should mesh with the coupler.

 

[slappy1974]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

Lindy46,
Thanks I have tried that but I still can't get the rod into the receptacle.
The only thing I can think is that the receptacle is blocked with something.
I'm going to try and drill out the hole with the same size drillbit and try again.

Any other ideas?

 

[slappy1974]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

Success! I took a 1/4" drillbit on multiple extenders to reach into the receptacle and I cleaned out all the junk in the receptacle hole. The hole was also 1/4".

Then I was able to put the shift rod all the way in, put in the bolt, and now I can stay in gear. I put the motor in a garbage can and it spilled water all over the floor, so I think I'm ready for the lake this weekend.

Now if I could just get the lower unit off my 1981 Mercury 3.6 backup motor to change the impeller I would be in business. I took the two bolts off and it will move about a 1/4". Something else is holding the drive shaft and I don't want to force it and break something.

 

[kbait]

Re: 1965 Johnson Seahorse Shift problems!

Hey top,
You may have a bent fork that the shift rod connects to and engages the clutch dog. I had that happen to an older 18. If it's intact, bend it back and off you go. (use NEW spaghetti seal w/rtv silicone at gearcase seam.) If it's a worn dog, I've heard people have added metal and cleaned 'em up to work, but just trying to file back to diminish the wear spots has never worked for me..
Good luck!