67' 60 HP johnson lower unit motor# J2778904

This is my first boat and I'm trying so hard to get out on the water. The engine runs great until you put it in gear. I've taken it on the water and it will go 5 mph and then its like something isn't catching in the gearbox. Half to full throttle will make it die. I've tried taking the lower unit off and the shaft wont budge! I loosened everything. Its very frustrating. I think the teeth on the gears are worn down but cant get to it, not that I can find parts anyway. I want to fabricate something if that is the problem. Any help or suggestions would be muchly appreciated. Thank You, Mark

Re: 67' 60 HP johnson lower unit motor# J2778904

Welcome to the forum!<br /><br />Sounds like you mite have one of two possible problems. Your prop may be spun if motor reves up but your boat dosent move out accordingly.<br /><br />The other is that your clutch dog is slipping in the lower unit. If its slipping you should hear and feel a rather loud and scarry bang and jump, just as if you hit somthing in the water.<br /><br />Can you tell us if this sounds anything like what your experencing.<br /><br />If your engine is just dieing out and your not hearing any noise from lower unit.<br /><br />Then you likley have dirty carbs. Time for a rebuild and throughly good cleaning.<br /><br />Good Luck!

Re: 67' 60 HP johnson lower unit motor# J2778904

Ive taken the carbs apart and thoroughly cleaned them but I'm not hearing the noise you are talking about. what do you mean my prop might be spun? I'm a rookie trying to learn. the engine will rev real high and die most of the time. what does the clutch dog look like? I cant get the lower unit to fall all the way down either. it falls about 6 inches but wont come all the way off. thank you so much.

Re: 67' 60 HP johnson lower unit motor# J2778904

A spun prop hub means the rubber cushion inside the hub has lost its grip on the hub.<br /><br />If thats your problem no real biggie. It can repaired for 50 bucks or so.<br /><br />On a motor that age you may have a shear pin in your prop and not the rubber coushoned ones that later models run. <br /><br />Look for pin that goes through the prop and the prop shaft. Take the big nut off that holds your prop on and see if you can remove prop.<br /><br />If it dosent come off with a little taping with a wood block or something soft anyways.<br /><br />Then find the shear pin if it has one. I dont have a manual that covers you model engine.<br /><br />Just leave your lower unit on for awhile untill we get this narrowed down a bit more.<br /><br />Let us know what you find.<br /><br />Good Luck!

Re: 67' 60 HP johnson lower unit motor# J2778904

The prop doesnt have the rubber cushion. I found the shear pin and it doesnt look worn out or bent. The lower unit is getting to be a real pain in the *** to take off. I've narrowed it down to 4 bolts that I need to take off but they are in the most awkward position. I'm going to take some pictures of it and try to post it on here. Thanx again for all your help and time. 10:30am central time.