'71 Johnson 33hp

[huskerbag]

I have recently inherited a ’71 Johnson 33hp. Mdl# RXEL-16M. It is a 2 cyl. <br />It appears that this model has an extension or spacer to make it a long shaft. I am trying to remove this to make it into a short shaft. I have removed the bolts on both the spacer and the lower gear housing; however the lower unit will not come free. It appears to be hanging up in the lower gear case. Any ideas on how this is supposed to come free?<br /><br />Markbag

 

[JB]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

Howdy Markbag.<br /><br />Welcome to iboats. <br /><br />Why in the world would you post a Johnson Outboard Trouble question in the Mercruiser I/O forum?<br /><br />No, I am not cussing you out, I really want to know what is wrong with the instructions and forum titles that leave the moderators here with having to move 15-20 posts a day. We need to change something and we have no clue what to change.<br /><br />We would appreciate your input on that.<br /><br />Meanwhile I will move this to the Johnson Outboard troubles forum.

 

[huskerbag]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

When I posted this I was in the Johnson Evenrude outboard portion of questions already asked...looking for anything close to the problem I was having as requested when I signed up. I would have thought it would have gone to the area I was in. <br />You will probably see a 2nd post like this as well as a help email come through. I evidently did not catch something that it went into the Merc I/O section.

 

[Solittle]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

I don't remember my 33 but you have to disconnect the shift rod. It connects to the linkage at the base of the carb or you can access the connection via a plate on the side of the lower housing. Keep in mind the you will also have to replace the driveshaft and the water pickup.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

On your 33hp, the shift connector is behind the 'window' on the port side of the midsection held on by two screws. Take off that 'window' and completely remove one of the two bolts in the coupler. If that doesn't help, the driveshaft is likely stuck in the crankshaft. You'll have to drive wedges between the L/U and midsection to spring it free. If it's really stuck, the driveshaft will damage the water-pump housing and nothing else, so don't worry about forcing it.<br />To convert a longshaft 33hp to shortshaft, you must replace the driveshaft with one precisely 5" shorter, remove the 5" extension on the water tube (it pulls off, but may need some penetrating oil), and replace the shift-shaft on the lower unit with one 5" shorter. The driveshaft can be replaced without opening the lower unit - just remove the water pump and pull. But the shift shaft can't. <br />You may want to try cutting 5" off the existing one and grinding a new groove for the coupler bolt, but if that's beyond your skill then you will have to disassemble the lower unit. Fortunately, it's an easy L/U to work on but you'll need a manual and some new seals to do it. And it would be a good idea to replace all the seals in it while you had it apart.<br /><br />Good luck, and BTW - Model RXEL-16M is a '68.<br />PS - you do have the large bolt in the back in addition to the small ones out too right?

 

[huskerbag]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

Thank you both for the help…I will get to it this week and let you know how it turns out…I thought it was a ’71 because the last 2 digits on the serial number are 71.<br />Mark

 

[davemaxi1970]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

Hi Paul moir helped me with the same job last week but I had similar problems getting it to seperate .I used wedges and more than a few dunts with a rubber mallet good luck

 

[huskerbag]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

Paul and SoLittle you are GREAT!!! It took a little persuasion from you for me to persuade that unit off. <br /> It's nice to have people to bounce things off of.<br /> I'm sure I will be posting more questions(I will make sure I put them in the right place) as this is something I want to be able to say "I did it myself" about. That is if I get it to work.<br /><br />Thanks again,<br />Markbag

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: '71 Johnson 33hp

Thanks for the comeback! It probably helps that I've got a '65 33hp next to be rebuilt (already have 2 +020 rings sets and +020 piston thanks to alcan and DHPMarine) all disassembled in the shop. If it's got compression you can make it work easily enough.