1970 40 electric shift problems

[dclarke]

I have a 1970 40 horse electric shift. I have had it at the shop 3 times now still now fixed. Some times you put it in forward and the rpm's will go up but you don't go any where. you put it in reverse and it backs up with no problem. some times you can move the lever to reverse and and then back to netural and then into forward and it works fine. some times you can be in foward and increasing the speed and then it just stops going foward and the rpm's shoot up. I have had the prop checked and it is fine. They tell me the grease which is a type c was comtaminated and they replaced it at the tune of 286.00 and I am in the same problem. They put a pressure test on it to check the seals and said they are fine. But the last time I took it out to the lake took the boat I noticed a small round hole above the prop and it looked like choclate milk dripping out of the hole. So now they want to redo the lower end for 900.00 any suggestions? Also can I find the parts aftermarket and where do I look to find them

 

[JB]

Re: 1970 40 electric shift problems

When you have an engine that old it does not make economic sense to pay someone else to work on it, DC.<br /><br />Get a Service Manual and learn to work on it yourself or sell it and get a late model engine.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: 1970 40 electric shift problems

Aftermarket parts won't save lots of money.It's what you pay me (a dealer) per hour that adds up. There are exceptions of course.<br /><br />You need to know what your motor is worth in the area you live.Here in New England,putting $1200.00 into a 36 year old motor doesn't compute (never will).<br /><br />But if you can do it yourself,generaly you'll save 50% as many jobs seem like labor and parts are the same amounts.<br /><br />Unfortunately,I suspect you have a bad spring on your forward gear,and that alone costs $330.00. Plus other parts (seals,etc.)<br /><br />I'd say goodbye,or find a GOOD donor motor,for a low price,that functions OK.<br /><br />DHP

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1970 40 electric shift problems

You were most likely seeing unburnt fuel/oil dripping from that hole, which is a sump drain for the exhaust cavity. Check your l/u fluid for signs of water entry to be sure.<br /><br />I agree with JB and DHPMarine, it's not worth fooling with unless you want to do the work yourself. But a good donor engine is a possibility.<br /><br />I noticed a recent post at AOMCI that indicated the springs could actually be repaired quite easily, and that the hubs themselves were never the problem. I suspect they just hit the inside of the spring with a hone. I doubt you would be able to get your dealer to try that sort of thing.

 

[dclarke]

Re: 1970 40 electric shift problems

Originally posted by JB:<br /> When you have an engine that old it does not make economic sense to pay someone else to work on it, DC.<br /><br />Get a Service Manual and learn to work on it yourself or sell it and get a late model engine.<br /><br />Good luck.

what brand manuals should I buy?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1970 40 electric shift problems

Without question, the OEM factory one. Use this ebay search:<br />(40, 40hp) (evinrude, johnson) manual 1970<br /><br />If one doesn't pop up, you can order a reprint from maxrules.com, theoutboardwizard.bizhosting.com, marineengine.com, kencook.com. Don't bother with the parts manual - it's online. Don't bother with the owner's manual, it's useless really.