shift problems 67 johnson 40

[ssschoeni]

I have a 1967 johnson 40 horse. It runs great now thatnks to some great tips I got here. Now I have another issue. I took the boat today to test it. I shifts into gear but as sson as you give any more than an idle the engine just free wheels. This happens in both forward and reverse. I have taken lower units apart before so i figured i would do the same with this one. However, when i got it apart i found something i was not used to seeing. The prop shaft is cross drilled and there is a heavy spring with 2 ball bearings that holds the clutch dog in place. To get the clutch dog to move takes a great deal of force. Every other engine I have had from Johnson has not had the spring and bearings the clutch dog moves freely on the shaft at the splines. The gears, pinion gear and clutch dog all look great and the shifting fork seems to be in great shape as well. Any ideas?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: shift problems 67 johnson 40

Sounds like the problem is with the prop, not the lower unit.<br />You wouldn't be the first to be fooled into thinking that pin drive props have no rubber hubs, but they do. Remove the prop cone and mark a line from the hub where the pin goes through to the outer part of the propeller where the blades are. Then put the cone back on and take the engine out for a spin. If the marks no longer line up, the prop is spun.<br />A competant prop shop can install a new rubber bushing for less than the cost of a new one. If brains and will are lacking, Iboats sells replacement props pretty cheap.<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: shift problems 67 johnson 40

Hi fellow cheesehead! Go Pack!<br /><br />Those are to help lock it in gear. The problem with the earlier ones is that if they were out of adjustment, they tended to wear on the mating surfaces of the shifter and gear cogs. The detents made a dramatic difference in the durability of those surfaces because it's basically fully engaged or fully disengaged. No partially engaged wear problems.<br /><br />I'm thinking your problem might be a spun prop hub.

 

[ssschoeni]

Re: shift problems 67 johnson 40

Does everything seem ok with that ball bearing set up then?

 

[ssschoeni]

Re: shift problems 67 johnson 40

I took a #2 phillips screw driver. Put it through the pin holes for the prop and turned. It is very loose. I think you got the problem for me. Thanks!!