Awakening a 40 hp Johnson

[cyberodie]

I recently got a 1968 40 hp Johnson Electromatic RKL( 30C) that has been in a garage for about 4 years or so. Was told that it ran great prior to taking it off his fishing boat as an axillary motor and replacing it with a 15 hp kicker. I have a service manual that should be delivered by tomorrow from Ken Cook. I read the FAQ on Awakening a Sleeping Outboard. I got a carb rebuild kit, seals for the vent and drain screws, impeller and housing (just in case). My questions;

1. I can remove and clean the fuel pump but necessarily I neccessarily need to replace it? How can I tell if the fuel pump is bad?

2. Is there anything special I should be aware of Electromatic regards to the "Electromatic" shifting and getting it back up and running or installing the impeller?

3. From other posts, this motor should use Type C gear lube. I see at the dealer that they have a Johnson Hi Vis gear lube. Is there any advantage to using one over the other.

4. Anything else that i should watch out for.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Awakening a 40 hp Johnson

electromatic needs type C it is thinner. it think what i would do is get it running if it will pump water, check and see if it will shift. don't run it long. just long enough to check, the drop lower unit.

 

[itstippy]

Re: Awakening a 40 hp Johnson

Follow the instructions for dropping the lower unit and changing the waterpump carefully. The Electromatic lower unit is heavy so I hope you have strong arms and good patience. Examine the shift wire closely while you have the lower unit off. It can get brittle from the heat, the rubber insulation cracks, short circuits develop, and your shifting goes to pot. Be carefull of that wire - it's a hard-to-find and expensive part.
Putting the lower unit back on can be aggravating, especially if you have a longshaft. There are two water tubes to line up vs. the normal one. And, like I said, the unit is HEAVY. I fought with one all afternoon before finally getting it right. Put the water tubes into the leg first, then mount the lower unit and guide the tube ends into the waterpump housing gromets as you go. The manual says something aggravatingly simple like "line up the water tubes and slide the lower unit into place". Uh huh. After my afternoon battle I posted on this forum graphically describing my experience. A more experienced Big Twin owner posted back saying he built a wooden jig that fits the skeg and goes on his automotive roller jack. Now when he replaces impellers or drops the lower unit for whatever reason he can raise and lower the heavy unit with the jack, and it's held in place nicely while he positions the water tubes. Otherwise you kinda need three arms (two to manuver the lower unit and one to line up the water tubes). I don't want to scare you or anything, you'll be fine, just don't get frustrated by the manual's making it sound so easy. A strong freind to help would work, too.

EDIT: found my old post:
http://www.iboats.com/bbboard/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=28;gtid=770689;gpid=770689#gpid770689

 

[cyberodie]

Re: Awakening a 40 hp Johnson

Thank you very much for the information.

Kevin