85hp Johnson 1974

[Ordneb]

Restoring a 1974 85hp Johnson. I am wondering about any special tricks to pulling the gear case seal assembly out of the lower unit. After I remove the 4 bolts from deep inside am I ok to just hook up a puller and remove the entire assembly? I'm trying to replace both the large o-ring on the back of this assembly as well as the double seals on the shaft near the prop. Thanks in advance for any advice.

<>< Pastor Tim

Got my 1978 Starcraft SS180 done and ready, all but a new steering cable. The seals on the lower unit of the motor are my last job also. Getting closer to splash down!

 

[boobie]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Yes, get the right puller and pull the prop shaft carrier out of it.

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Thanks. I'll give it a shot.

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Got the shaft carrier out and replace the o-ring and seals. Went back together nicely. Put the lower unit on the motor and that's when trouble began. As I was filling the gear case with lube it began to run out of the set screw by the screen on the starboard side. The screw was turned all the way in. I backed the screw out until it got firm and the oil leak stopped. Can anyone tell me if this is the right thing to do and what in the world is that set screw for? Also, after I got that leak stopped I noticed that down a few inches and towards the prop there is another hole about 1/8th inch in diameter and it has now begun weeping oil also. Now what? I can't find any hole on the engine diagrams and I don't know whether there are threads inside or not. Am I s.o.l. on this gear case? How do I plug that hole? Thanks in advance for all your help.

<>< Pastor Tim

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

After I look a little closer the hole of concern is about an inch directly below the screen on the starboard side of the motor. The other set screw that I backed out is beside the screen about in the middle.

Thanks,
<>< Pastor Tim

 

[classiccat]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

It sounds as though you backed-out the pinion bearing set screw.

I wouldn't touch another thing on that motor until one of the pros hop-on. I jumped in as maybe there's a chance you can avoid full disassemble of your gearcase.

There are additional holes that are intended for water drainage.

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Yes, I think I backed out the pinion bearing set screw. But, if it is screwed all the way in it leaks oil. I have a gear case seal kit and have not used it all because I did not completely disassemble it. Obviously there must be a seal that keeps this set screw from leaking. Also there must be some reason for the additional hole below the starboard screen. Unfortunately the diagrams don't show anything and I'm too stupid to figure it out without a complete disassemble. However, that joyful task seems to be looming on the horizon unless someone has a great solution for me.

Thanks,
<>< Pastor Tim

 

[classiccat]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Yes, I think I backed out the pinion bearing set screw. But, if it is screwed all the way in it leaks oil. I have a gear case seal kit and have not used it all because I did not completely disassemble it. Obviously there must be a seal that keeps this set screw from leaking. Also there must be some reason for the additional hole below the starboard screen. Unfortunately the diagrams don't show anything and I'm too stupid to figure it out without a complete disassemble. However, that joyful task seems to be looming on the horizon unless someone has a great solution for me.

Thanks,
<>< Pastor Tim

if you haven't already, grab yourself a factory service manual off of ebay...they run about 20 bucks (i just checked).

maybe the set-screw threads are stripped?

the only hole that I'm aware of on the SB side below the water intake screen is the drain plug.

do you have a picture?

..and you may as well post a pic of that Splash-ready SS while you're at it

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Okay, here's the deal. After further investigation the hole I have been concerned with is nothing more than an additional water drain hole. The reason it was seeping oil is my own fault. I had placed the garden hose thingy on the motor before I filled the gear case with oil. As I filled it, oil began leaking out of the set screw hole, unbeknownst to me because it was behind the hose thingy. As oil built up it ran into this little drain hole and when I took the hose thingy off, this hole then had to drain. Duh, am I a "smart feller". So, my only real problem is how do I stop the pinion bearing set screw from leaking out all my gear lube? Apparently the set screw needs to be fully screwed in tight. Unfortunately it then leaks oil. Do I have to disassemble the gear case again to replace an internal seal or is this something that can be done from the outside?

Thanks again to all you smart people who put up with all us idiots.
<>< Pastor Tim

BluFin, I'll post some pics very soon. I wanted to paint my hood and get some new decals before posting. The boat was in great shape so I did not rebuild it. I had to replace a lot of plywood in the seats and some of the seat foam that the mice had destroyed but the upholstery cleaned up nicely with some Murphy's Oil Soap. The carpet is faded but the floor and transom are very solid. Other than a new steering cable I was able to simply refurbish everything else. Maybe someday I'll do a complete gut job and rebuild it but for now my $300 steal will work just fine pulling the grandkids around the lake.

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Still looking for answers regarding pinion bearing set screw. Threads are not stripped. I can screw it in a long ways but about half way in it starts leaking gear lube. I can't seem to bottom out the screw against anything. Almost seems like it will drop out on the inside if I go too far. ??? Any ideas? Thanks for your help in advance.
<>< Pastor Tim

 

[classiccat]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Still looking for answers regarding pinion bearing set screw. Threads are not stripped. I can screw it in a long ways but about half way in it starts leaking gear lube. I can't seem to bottom out the screw against anything. Almost seems like it will drop out on the inside if I go too far. ??? Any ideas? Thanks for your help in advance.
<>< Pastor Tim

I'm of the understanding that this set screw doesn't bottom-out...you have to install it flush with the housing with loctite. I also just checked the screw on my '75 70hp and it is also flush.

Now to do this, you're going to have to clean the threads on the screw & hole really well which means draining the LU oil.

Once the set screw is in and before you refill the LU, a pressure/vacuum test should be performed to verify that there are no additional leaks.

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Thanks, I'll give that a try.

 

[Ordneb]

Re: 85hp Johnson 1974

Set screw in. LU filled with oil. Motor started. Spits water. Runs great for a 1974 model that hasn't run for 20+ years. Shifts fine. Now, waiting on steering cable, a winch for the trailer, a trip to the courthouse to title and register the boat. Got the seats back together after some plywood replacement and installed in boat. Not too bad for a total investment of about $600. $300 for boat, motor free, water pump kit, spark plugs, lower unit seal kit, teleflex rack and pinion steering cable, small part for the remote control, new remote cables, battery, fuel line, fuel pump rebuild kit, a bottle of Murphy's Oil Soap and some elbow grease. Anticipated splash on June 29. Pictures to follow after I get new decals on the hood. Thanks for your help.

<>< Pastor Tim
1978 Starcraft SS180
1974 Johnson 85 hp