1982 Johnson 15hp Water Drain Hole Plugged

[Grant Brown]

Salt water motor that the boy and I are resurrecting.
The lower unit water drain hole is plugged. I plan on following the advise here (http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Lower_unit.htm) and drilling out the hole to 1/4".
I've used a lot of force to remove the crud that's in there but not had much luck. I'm afraid of going to far and punching through the gear case.
How deep can the drain hole be safely drilled and does the entire cavity on the inside extend down all the way or is itjust a water passageway only?

 

[raczekp1]

Re: 1982 Johnson 15hp Water Drain Hole Plugged

i soaked slowly with WD 40 in this hole to soften.
also stand Lower unit verticaly and aply some WD 40 or other penetrant in side(at the inner botom part,its a litle deeper)

 

[Rick.]

Re: 1982 Johnson 15hp Water Drain Hole Plugged

While you have the lower unit removed and before you re-install the impeller and water pump housing take it outside and hit it hard with the garden hose. It should loosen all the crude down there. Rick.

 

[OptsyEagle]

Re: 1982 Johnson 15hp Water Drain Hole Plugged

If you are changing the impeller every 5 years like you should, and you do what Rick has said as regular maintenance, at that time, you should not have any problem with the current hole clogging up.