1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

[itstippy]

Just got the thing home; bought it last week (close to home).<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4534090985&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT <br /><br />I haven't dug into the motor yet, but the flywheel turns by hand and I can feel compression build and release. Signs look good. The whole rig is quite restorable; it looks like Evil Kneivil's old stunt boat. But the long shaft seems way out of set for this boat (see pics). Shouldn't the cav plate be about equal with the keel on this type of setup? Can I just locate a short driveshaft, cut down the water tubes, and remove the 5" extension like you do with the 18-20-25's? I am not familiar with these Selectric shifts but I'll learn. Any complications in converting to shortshaft? A quick skim of the manual shows electric shift cables and clamps are involved and the extesion assembly is not just the hollow tube I'm familiar with. Is that just webbing for strength I see in the parts diagrams? Thanks and wish me luck on this latest project. Once again, the wife's gonna kill me.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

Just so you know, that is Not a Racing gearcase like the ad claimed. That's an Electric Shift model. Nothing "race" about it.<br /><br />It looks a bit long, but the antiventilation plate shold be an inch or two below the hull on these. The newer thru-hub exhaust models mount with the plate even. Converting to a short shaft will mean a different driveshaft. Otherwise it's just a matter of removing the extension parts and cutting 5" off the water tubes.<br /><br />Good luck. With the boat AND the wife.

 

[RPJS]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

Hi Itstippy<br />I did a similar job a few years ago on a 40hp seahorse, I looked everywhere for a shorter drive shaft with no luck. I ended up cutting the existing shaft to length and machining a sleeve with a 6mm key, machined a matching key into the 2 ends of the cut shaft, assembled the shaft with plenty of loctite and 4 grub screws drilled and taped slightly into the shaft (just to be sure). The outboard is still running on the Brother in laws boat.<br />Bets of luck.<br />A big bunch of flowers and name the boat after your wife should calm her down.<br /><br />Richard

 

[rolmops]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

I have a few short shafts laying around.I could put one on ebay.Just say so if you want me to.<br />There is a bit of a problem with the cavitation plate on these engines.There are 2 one above the other.There is the top one,which is at 15 inches from the transom clamp.then there is the second one at 18 1/2 inches.You have these 3 1/2 inches to play with.These are the short shaft measurements,the long shaft is another 5 inches longer.

 

[itstippy]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

If you list the short driveshaft on eBay I will bid. Conversion sounds straightforward once I have the shaft. I have now noticed that I'm missing the exhaust outlet/water pickup plate that mounts under the cav plate - if you look at the closeup pic of the lower you will see what I mean. <br />I should be able to run the thing in a barrel (once I've gone over the impeller, lower oil, etc. and provided it runs) but obviously water convection is screwed. It won't force water in or suck exhaust out while underway without that plate. Also no screen on the water pickup means sucking up crud.<br />If you have a parts lower with short driveshaft and intact exhaust/water pickup plate please list - I don't care if the gears are toast, housing cracked, skeg broken, leaks like a sieve, electromagnets electrocuted, etc. I need that plate and shaft for sure.<br />If anyone has a functional lower (electric shift) please list - spares are a good thing on something this old and I don't know the condition of what I have yet. <br />Tomorrow's supposed to be warm weather at last (close to 50 degrees) so I'll do a compression check and take a really good look at everything. So far the more I look the more I like overall, except for that missing plate. Oddball controler. Forward, neutral, reverse, throttle speed both ways is all one lever with neutral in the middle. How in heck that works (or doesn't) will be interesting to figure out. Time to search old posts, read the manuals, and scratch my head.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

Drop down to Quam's Marine on Kegonsa. I'll bet they have what you need just laying around. I've gotten a thing or two there over the years.<br /><br />Make sure the water in the barrel goes well over the joint between the gearcase and midsection. Leaving the prop off may be a good idea ... your choice. Grease the wires before you yank them out and again before you pull them thru. I attach a string to them before yanking the gearcase so I can just reattach and pull back thru. You'll be pulling them further thru without the extension. There'll be two thick areas to seat into the hole. You'll see when you remove it. Make sure both water pump pipes engage the pump and the wires don't rub on the driveshaft.

 

[itstippy]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

Once again great advice from all! The old posts on electric shifts are a goldmine of info too.<br />I'm busy with the beast today. Whoever built the custom cedar seats was great with wood but knew nothing about boats (I found a pencil that says "Lange Bros Woodworking, Milwaukee WI"). They blocked off the whole back end including the gas tank, fuel line, and a huge gob of wiring. Must have parked the boat the first time they ran out of gas. Someone "rewired" at some point in the past and left the old stuff where it lay. What a mess. I'm having a blast, though. Happy Easter all.

 

[rolmops]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

I will put cover and driveshaft up by tomorrow night.You will find it under Johnson Evinrude outboard.My username is Evenruder(I am not really very rude at all).

 

[itstippy]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

rolmops, I keep looking but can't find it. Did you list it yet? Thanks.

 

[rolmops]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

Sorry about that. It will go on tonight.

 

[itstippy]

Re: 1963 40HP Super Seahorse convert to short shaft

Thanks. I will probably need a short-shaft stainless bolt too if you have one and if this thing takes one. Usually with these 5" extensions there's one long bolt that holds the gearcase to the leg in addition to all the shorter bolts. The shorter bolts work just fine - you wind up with extras when you get rid of the extension - but the long bolt needs to be replaced with one 5" shorter. My parts catalog isn't here yet and I can't find an exploded diagram in the manual. Like I say, if this motor needs one and you have one. Thanks a million.