Johnson 3hp JW-22S--Impeller Question

UncleJonny

Cadet
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
13
First, I'd like to thank all of you for your wisdom on these topics. To someone like me who is quite a bit less experienced with outboards, it's fantastic to have a reference like this out there.

I wanted an outboard to power a row boat at our family cottage, and I thought it would be nice to get an older motor without electronics that can be fixed with a little troubleshooting and a repair manual. I love the simplicity of those old Johnson/Evinrudes....not to mention the smooth stroke of a twin cylinder!

A little back story...
On Craigslist, I found a JW22S, SN: E2747881, which I think makes it a 1967? The gentleman I spoke to was the original owner, and it hadn't been ran in six years. He said that before that, it had been sitting under his work bench in the garage for 25 years. He guaranteed me that it had less than 50 hours on it. When I arrived, the motor was laying on the ground, looking very, very good for its age. The man wanted $200 for it, and I told him that it wouldn't be right to pay that money for an engine that I can't hear run. He understood my point, and said, "Let's put it in a bucket and start this thing." He filled a five gallon bucket, and his grandson held the motor up at a funny angle, because the lower unit doesn't fit so easily in the bucket. I was so skeptical about this...the motor had six year old gas in it, and I never thought it would fire up. I opened the fuel line, vented the cap, and pulled four or five times and it was running strong! Couldn't believe it. I gladly paid the man $200...the condition alone was excellent.

When it runs, I see where the water comes out after running through the impeller. Not much water comes out...it's more of a mist, especially when it's running at low idle. Does this seem right? I'm used to my 50hp with its strong stream. An impeller change might not hurt. I see that parts are available here on iboats...any tips for changing it with regard to this specific model?

Thanks for reading this story...I thought it was worth sharing. Check out the picture if you want...I haven't even wiped it off yet.

Jon
 

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Mark3

Cadet
Joined
May 28, 2010
Messages
17
Re: Johnson 3hp JW-22S--Impeller Question

Congratulations on the find.

Yes it is normal to get a mist from the holes in the mid-section as most of the cooling water exits with the exhaust behind the prop. As you can't be sure of the age of the impeller it should be replaced. If you purchase the impeller repair kit #379763 it also includes the water tube grommet, drive pin and housing screws. On this model it is imperative that the o-ring at the top of the drive shaft be replaced, #202893. Without that o-ring in good condition water and exhaust will enter the crankshaft splines and they will rust out, ruining the crankshaft. Also the water pump is what holds the drive shaft into the lower unit, so after you remove the water pump screws be careful not to let the drive shaft fall out of the lower unit. If that happens it just slides back in, but you have to get the pinion gear back in the right position and it can be a lot of fiddling around.

Other parts to check/replace for another 46 reliable years:

Rebuild the carb using kit# 398532. This kit includes new seals and gaskets, and a new float that will not be affected if there is alcohol in your fuel. Also replace the fuel hose from the shutoff valve to the carb with a new piece from your local auto parts store. The original one will break down in contact with alcohol and plug up the carb.

Check the ignition coils for cracks in the casings. Older coils for these motors always cracked and failed. I don't know if this was resolved by '67.

Replace the rubber prop clutch ring #315471. These harden over time and lose the ability to protect your prop from strike damage. Be aware that others might tell you not to worry about this as that is what the shear pin is for. This motor does not have a shear pin it has a stainless steel (strong) "drive pin". Protect your motor and prop, change the clutch ring.

Change your lower unit lube and install new drain plug seals #311598.

These are absolutely excellent motors, and I have seen several people with much more experience than I refer to them as the best small outboards ever produced.

Please post back and let us know how things progress.
 
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