1975 25hp johnson slipping out of gear

[ColdPat]

I have a 25R75B 25hp johnson 1975. This engine purrs like a champ. I clean the carb once a year. I have recently had a problem with the outboard staying in gear. It jumps out of gear when I rev up the engine and then just spins. Question: Should the shifter jump back into neutral? reason: my shifter looks like it is still in gear but yet its out. I do have linkage to a front stick stearing. Could this be a linkage problem? Or do you think it could be the clutch dog. I did take the lower unit apart last week to reseal it but this was happening befor the reseal. I was hoping the reseal would fix the issue? Another question.. If I take the clutch dog out, will the balls in the spring pop out?

[jbjennings]

When are you "revving up the engine"----on muffs??? That's not really a good thing to be honest. It could be a linkage problem either in your controls or in the disconnect for the shift rod. It also could be the clutch dog and yes, be careful when removing the clutch dog that you don't lose the little ball bearings. I believe they should stay trapped in the shaft on one side but I've had 'em come out for sure. If it's the clutch dog, you probably won't see a big problem but look for the edges on one side of the dogs--if they're rounded they're no good. You'll probably see the same on the ears of the gears that the dogs make contact with. IF so, you need to get 'em all fixed. A used lower unit might be the cheapest, easiest route.
JBJ

[tashasdaddy]

dis connect the shift cable, and put it in gear manually and test it. if it then jumps out. go into the lower unit. but test it before. could be a streched or misadjusted cable.

[ColdPat]

Ok thanks... No I'm not that crazy revving up on the muffs. Question: when I take the linkage off and put it in gear if it is the clutch dog will the shift lever go back to neutral because I thinkg it should right.

[tashasdaddy]

it may not come all the way back to neutral, will just kick back enough to disengage the gear.

[ColdPat]

Another question... I have the rounded clutch dog notches(2) How long should these notches be? How can I tell if clutch dog is bad if the sides come rounded?

[wbeaton]

The edges of the lobes on the clutch dog should be a straight 90 deg angle. Any rounding and the dog may/will pop out.

[wilde1j]

Looks like you're in for a new set of fwd/rev gears and a clutch dog. BTW, clutch dog failure results from "gentle" shifting. Shifting needs to be done briskly, so you don't hear any clicking while you're doing it, just a thump when it goes into gear.

[ColdPat]

My clutch dog is rounded see below pic. With it already being rounded how can I tell

[ColdPat]

Also, can I flip clutch dog and forward/reverse gear on this 25hp Seahorse johnson

[wilde1j]

If the clutch dog is completely symmetrical, yes. Note that fwd and reverse gears need to be swapped as well. The above is conditional on there being no rounding at all on the reverse lobes of the dog or the machined recesses of the rev gear AND that fwd and rev gears are identical.

[tashasdaddy]

"My clutch dog is rounded see below pic." notice the sharp square edges on the top of the clutch dog, these are what has to be square.

[johnson691]

does anyone know what the shifting lever conects to? and what the part looks like?

[jbjennings]

I believe you can probably flip the clutch dog, but I seriously doubt you can switch the forward and reverse gears. On most of the motors I've worked on they're different. I could be wrong as I've never worked on a '75 model. I hope you can, that would be ideal. I still suspect you're going to be better off with a used lower unit if they're bad.
good luck,
JBJ

[johnson691]

i have a old johnson outboard n its has been slipping outta gear> i was looking at the linkage n it kinda looks like a bolt may have wiggled lose n fell out. i put a bolt n the place n have not started or tried it yet. Does anybody know what the linkage looks like n how its to be hookedup? I think that will fix my problem.

[67Johnson6HP]

johnson691 - You need to start a new thread. (Include Model # and Year).

[wbeaton]

That clutch dog looks good from this side. Might be some slight damage on the other, but it looks ok to me. Double check your linkage.

[samo_ott]

That's what I thought. It looks ok to me to. Is that the old one or new one (is that the box behind it?)

[jbjennings]

I thought that was a pic of an NOS clutch dog. It looked flawless to me.
If that's actually his dog I'd see if it would hunt, too.
JBJ

[ColdPat]

No that wasn't my clutch dog but boy do I have pictures. Took it apart and reversed the clutch dog only. Looks like the gears are different shape on the back end. Here are the pics of clutch dog bad side, then good side, then forward gear, then gear box.

[jbjennings]

Coldpat,
I would have turned the dog around and gave it a shot, too. But if it does work I would still keep an eye out for some NOS gears and clutch, or a used lower unit that is in good shape. Your lower unit looked good and rust-free anyway. Those worn gear ears and clutch dogs aren't gonna last long either way. I would also consider seeing if a machinist could reshape the clutch dogs and gear ears and then re-caseharden them. I've heard this is possible but have never tried it. But it won't hurt to ask around.
Good luck,
JBJ

[ColdPat]

thanks for the Advice. I was thinking the same thing. The motor is at an age where I need to start looking for parts on the cheap before they all go away. The clutch dog wear on the reverse side was very minimal. the forward gear look good except for the wear on the front surface of the lobe which should not make a difference unless it is worn down. Thanks for the help. How do I become a Master Chief? I was in the Navy and made it up to a 2nd Class Petty Officer. I know this don't count but its funny to me

[ColdPat]

JB, I'm from Louisiana too. Living in Texas now.. From a little town called Mamou. Heavy French speakers.

[jbjennings]

Ha Ha!!!!
I just noticed when you mentioned it that I was now a "master chief".....Sounds really important, eh??? It actually is determined by how many posts you've made on the forum and has nothing to do with how much you know I've heard of Mamou, but I live only about 5 or 6 miles from Arkanasas so a little far from there.
Good luck with your johnson,
JBJ

[ColdPat]

ran motor in driveway with square rabbit ears. Took the remote shifting off the manual shift on engine and it shifted a little to easy into gear. It was reallly really smooth. Remember, I re-sealed the lower unit and reversed the clutch dog.

I'm going to take the kids for a ride in the morning to test under load