Re: flip flopping reverse gear to forward
Hi Brokeboater,<br /> No, they cannot be swapped. The forward gear has a bronze bearing that supports it, while the reverse gear has no outer bearing surface and rides solely on the propshaft. If the gears are bad, replace them outright, as a bad gear will usually take the whole lower unit, housing and all, with it. You can use gears, as a set, from many different model years of 18-25hp starting about 1957 to early 1970s. The gears themselves changed teeth configurations, etc., but the basic dimensions remained more or less the same. Try your local boat shops first, looking for any units with the same outtward appearance. Might get lucky and find one with a busted skeg, but good innards. Probably not many frozen/cracked units down your way, but you never know.<br /> I would consider putting a seal kit and waterpump impeller into it as part of the rebuild - you got the motor for cheap, so spend a few bucks on it to return it to life. The 18hp Johnrudes were fantastic motors and there are thousands of them still in regular service. I've got several of my own as regular runners.<br /> Good luck!<br />- Scott
