1984 Johnson 70hp sea horse

[Nathan Miles]

I have a 1984 Johnson model #J70ELCRD. I am having shifting issues. I am leaning towards the lower unit being the problem. I have turned over the motor while in gear and in forward the prop turns but is easy to stop in reverse the prop wont turn. Is there something I should focus on and if the lower unit needs rebuilt how hard is it to rebuild one? I am experienced in repairing cars and trucks but outboards and two strokes are pretty foreign to me. Any help or advice is appreciated.

 

[hardwater fisherman]

Have you tried shifting it by hand at the motor with the shift cables disconnected? It is possible the cables are at fault.

 

[Bosunsmate]

They arent hard to repair, main problem is if its a saltie then it can take a while to get it apart due to corrosion.
Good advice from Hardwater

 

[Nathan Miles]

It was used in fresh water for most of its life so hopefully that wont be a problem. I will try to manually shift it tonight and we will see. I guess I am still wondering if it is the lower unit is it worth getting a rebuilt one? I have looked up parts costs and if I have to replace very many of the parts it comes down to about the same cost as a rebuilt unit.

 

[Bosunsmate]

yes if its lots of parts its cheaper to get a second hand etc, but once you strip it out you might find its just something like the clutchdog thats gone

 

[Nathan Miles]

Good point! Thanks

 

[Nathan Miles]

So I disconnected the cables and I have forward and neutral but no reverse any ideas of what it might be?

 

[boobie]

If you're going to work on this yourself would recommend you get a OMC factory service manual for that year. JMO.

 

[boobie]

Edit.....

 

[Nathan Miles]

If you're going to work on this yourself would recommend you get a OMC factory service manual for that year. JMO.

That is the plan for pay day!

 

[Bosunsmate]

So I disconnected the cables and I have forward and neutral but no reverse any ideas of what it might be?

Well it might be that the shift shaft has being rotated by someone else and is out of adjustment.
The other option is that either the clutch dog or the reverse gear or both have gone.

Regarding the shift shaft, you can rotate that and it will change the adjustment. Ive forgotten which ways which but if you fiddle with that you might get success, otherwise it will be opening up the LU.

 

[Chinewalker]

Step one might be to drain the lower unit and inspect the oil for metal filings. That would indicate an issued with the gears, etc.

 

[Nathan Miles]

Thank you! I have a couple of projects going on but outboards are a little foreign to me and the help is much appreciated.