1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

[Hillbillywill]

Yesterday for the first time, I mounted and fired up my recenly acquired 57 Seahorse. I had it tuned up. I decided to change the lower unit oil. What I got when I pulled the plug was a very small amount of tanish colored oil that had a peanut butter consistency. I flushed the lower unit with 80/90 gear oil then filled it to the top with the same hypoid synthetic oil that I use in my BMW motorcycle gear box. FYI there was no water in the lower unit oil. Just peanut butter.

1. Does the appearance of the oil and small amount of it give rise to concern?
2. Can you "over fill" the lower unit. How much oil do you put in there?

I'm running 32:1 gasil mix.

Thanks all.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

To start, you run 24-1 on that motor.

THe milky colour indicates that their was a little water in there, but some of the older gearcases are hard to seal. It may have been leaking at the drain/vent screws, I would not do anything until changing the oil, running her and checking again. I personally run BRP HI VIS gearcase oil in mine, especially the older ones, it has additives for water intrusion.

You put your drain pan under the motor, remove the bottom standard screw, the drain screw. DO NOT remove the phillips head screw (This is for the gear selection inside the gearcase). Then remove the upper standard screw, this is the vent screw. Once fully drained in an upright position, you screw your oil pump into the bottom, drain hole, and fill the oil until it exits the top, vent hole. This way there is no air in the gearcase and it is fully filled. Re install the vent screw (with new gasket), remove the pump and re install the drain screw (with new gasket).

 

[Hillbillywill]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

Thank you. I am less concerned now. I will replace the 80/90 with the gear oil with what you recommend. The bottom drain screw had a plastic gasket on it. Can I replace that with a standard local hardware gasket or do I need to get one from a marine hardware place? thanks again!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

There should be gaskets on both screws. They are a crush washer and to be used only once. They are kind of important, so would get the proper ones at your local dealer.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

Hightrim's got you on the right track for LU service/maintenance. That peanut butter you removed might have been Lubriplate 105 grease rather than hypoid oil, if the LU seals weren't the greatest. Some folks switch over to grease when a LU is so worn that it won't reseal correctly. Check the oil after you run it awhile, if the oil drains out looking like vanilla milkshake you need to buy a seal kit and reseal it. Not a hard job, and worth the effort...those are great motors...very solid and reliable.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

Lubriplate 105 - that's what I was thinking too. A lot of people used that on those older motors. It's difficult to "drain" it from the L/U as it is so thick. I still use it in my Merc 400, and it doesn't drain at all when you remove the drain and vent screws. So I just pump the new in the bottom until it forces the old out the top.

 

[Hillbillywill]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question



Thanks Guys. Here she is. Minus some new glass, seat covers and deck hardware.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

She is a beauty. But Im partial to the 57 Johnsons.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

Very nice. I bet she scoots right along and gets lots of heads turning at the dock. here are some great links to get and keep that motor running for another 50+ years. you can get most routine parts right here at iboats too. cheers!.

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/04/s/columns/max/24/index.cfm

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167352

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

http://www.marineengine.com/parts/v...ntage-evinrude-johnson/377023/37702300001.htm

http://www.iboats.com/Johnson-Outbo...5916926--**********.193076358--view_id.271265

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Seahorse Lower Unit Question

Sweet...definitely worth the time. effort and $$$$