Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

Ok, so I pulled the head today (the bottom starboard head bolt is a PITA by the way!!), and found the cylinder walls to be nice and smooth. The pistons just have some build up on them which I assume is normal.

In the next pictures you can see my tester adapter stuck in the #2 hole. I'm taking it to the machine shop where they can hopefilly fix it and clean it up.

I also figured out where my lower unit was leaking fluid from. It looks like the prop shaft seal, as thee was quite a bit in the pan that the LU was sitting in. How difficult is it to change the prop shaft seal?

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

Well, a little update. I dropped the head off at the machine shop today. I took the head cover off and found even more build up of gunk I'm guessing it's calcium from the water. I wouldn't even know how to tell if an engine has been run in salt water. Anyways, they are cleaning up the head and putting a heli coil in it. I can't wait to get it back! The water pump should be here by next week.

 

[KingHardcor]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

Major bummer about the comp tester getting stuck.

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

Yeah, but its a good excuse to have the head cleaned real well and chenge the gaskets. The guy at the machine shop said that it wasn't a big deal at all to fix it. I'm having to wait on other parts anyways. BTW, I really like that Lark you have! Good job on it!

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

I got the water pump kit in the mail today. I got it installed and got the lower unit bolted back up with no problem and also got the shift linkage hooked up without incident.

I also got bored and painted the prop black with some Rustoleum primer and black paint. I've never liked props painted white. Either black or stainless

Now I'm just waiting on the head to be done. I'm gonna see if there's an Evinrude dealer somewhere in Austin that can get the two head gaskets I need so I don't have to wait forever for one. I'm gonna rebuild the carb and then see if she'll fire up! I getting excited. This is pretty fun. Now I'm even looking for a pontoon to hang this baby from once I'm ALL done with it.

I'm going to get to sanding on the LU and mid section and repaint it. I like the all white of the '77 motors but I think I just want to go back original. What spray paint closley matches the "Johnson Green" of this vintage? Does BRP sell OEM paint still for these old motors? Thanks

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

I got the carb apart, well, almost. This is my first time ever in a carb. I couldn't figure out how to get the high speed nozzle out that runs up the center of the float.

This parts looks as if it is designed to come out as there is a seal around it that badly worn and coming apart. I tried a big screw driver that fit in the grooves to no avail. I don't have the special tool for the little high speed jet in the bowl so I'm going to dip it in the Chem Dip and then spray it out real well. I also found the POS cork float in there.

My carb kit didn't come with a float so I guess I'm gonna have to wait to go back together with it until I get that. Will an auto parts place carry a plastic float for these engines?

One more question. It looks like the packing that goes around the slow speed needle is stuck on the threads inside of the carb body. I've tried to pick at it with some picks to no avail. Will this get softer after coming out of the parts cleaner bin? Thanks for the help.

 

[stevo10081984]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

i usualy let my carbs soak for a solid 24hrs, then run the hose through it....then blow 100psi through it, one final dose of carb cleaner, another blast of air..soaking might soften whatever is on the threads, i had some red gunk spread over a welch plug that kinda looked like bondo, anyway i picked at what i could, and by the time it came out of the bin...you couldnt tell it was there....you definately wanna get it as clean as possible....i would try to get both jets out too if possible....looking good, still has the cork float...po didnt put much effort into gettin her going...thats sucks that you dont get floats w/ the kits from here....live and learn....did you do the prop shaft seal??

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

Well I'm back! I've been spending time with the family and using the Sea Ray! Had it out and it runs great! Anyways, now back to the good ole Johnson. The head is still at the machine shop and the guy said I'd get it back today or tomorrow, so we'll see. I didn't do the prop shaft seal as of yet because when it first leaked out, the LU was off of the motor lying on the ground. I thought that may have something to do with. I re-mounted the LU and filled it with LU oil and it hasn't leaked still and it's been in the down posision. After the first run I'll check the fluid then and if milky, I'll go ahead with the prop shaft seal.

Remember the High speed needle I talked about and began to strip it out when trying to remove it? Well I kept trying with a BIG screwdriver, which fit in the slot perfectly, and the metal just began to fall off. Now there is no slot and it's completley stripped. Should I take this to the machine shop as well? I'm gonna go ahead and order a new one since it's only $13 or so. I'm waiting on the head gasket, head cover gasket, carb float, and high speed needle. When I get all this I can throw it back together and try to start her. BTW, I tested the spark with a spark tester and it has a perfect blue, strong spark! I'm not gonna put the new ignition components in yet, as the ones in it now look very clean and new. I have them on hand though in case it needs it later. Remember, I have no boat to put this engine on as of yet so I have time to play with things lol. Anyways, hope to have another update soon!

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

Just got off the phone with the local Evinrude dealer who is hooking me up with all the parts and they'll be here Thursday! I was excited because that sure beats waiting two weeks for your parts and shipping costs. All I have to do is go to Austin to get them. I think I'll take the bike for better fuel mileage! That sounds like a good excuse to ride! lol

 

[BoatingCop]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

I've been kinda dormant on this thread for a while so I thought I'd give an update. All my parts came in and weere installed. I then began my rebuild of the carb...big mistake. I found that half of the original seals wern't even in the carb to begin with so I had to guess on what went where. After getting it back together I blew in it with it upside down and nothing went through so I thought all was well. I put it back on the motor and tried to start it. I pumped the primer til it wwas firm and no fuel came out of the carb so I though all was well. I then started craking on it. After cranking on it for a minute or so fuel started to run back out of the carb throat!! I knew something was majorly wrong. The engine would only back fire when I used my hand as a choke on the back of the carb. I took the carb apart several more times and put it back together with the same results. I finally got frusterated and left it alone.

Now I'm here for help...I'm wanting to see if there are any peope on here that are really good with carbs. I'll send a carb rebuild kit and pay all labor cost to whoever will go through this carb for me and get it set up how it should be with all parts inside lol. I'm just tired of messing with it and I'm ont good with carbs to begin with.

I think the engine will run after the carb issue is figured out due to it at least back firing, so I'm really excited to get the carb straightened out and fire it up! Thanks so much in advance and please PM me if you're intersted!!

 

[Blacksting]

Re: Resto/Rebuild 1973 Johnson 40hp!

Hello, i just picked up this '73 jonny by dumb luck . it sat for 10 years , matter of fact 3 trees grew around it and it took 3 hours getting it out of the yard w/o buzzing them down . its on a 15'starcraft and the woman just wanted it out of the yard , so free was for me . yours looks in good shape , mine is as well except the lower half is white and the handle is broke . ,....i cleaned up the points and she fired right up . then the starter went . tried pulling but the recoil spring was broke . welded it but the bend was too large to get it back in place so i cut off about a foot and got it to work . she starts right up w/ 1 pull . my question is , can i get the old starter out of the bracket and put in a new one ? also i have 5 wires out of the harness besides the battery cables , how do i wire them ? if someone can chime in your help is greatly appreciated . cant wait for spring to see how she runs on the bay.

 

[adam lancia]

I have this thread of yours bookmarked as reference even though it's been a while since you posted last.

I have a 40EL73D and I'm in the midst of going through the carb to get it running again. Any idea if there's a suitable substitute for the fuel nipple that presses until the underside of the non-starter side? The fuel line that was on there really stuck and the nipple kinked and is now bent with a small crack where it tapers... Would it be easier to tap a new fitting in there instead?
Thanks!