1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

I have just rebuilt a 1979 25 hp johnson and am<br />having a problem keeping it in gear.<br />It jumps out at about half throtle in forward.<br />I have replaced all the parts in the foot along with the shift rod. All parts were new. The reason for rebuilding was because it was jumping out of gear and on inspecting the foot found water there. Everything is now sealed up good and tight ,no leaks, but still will not stay in gear.<br />Can anyone help me with this problem.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Tenn Man

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

Shift rod adjustment needed?

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

Originally posted by kajnjim999:<br /> Shift rod adjustment needed?

Click to expand...

Do I adjust at the shift lever? <br />the only other link is the brass conector that joins the shift rods. Doesn't seem to be much adjustment there. <br />Can you talk me through the adjustment?

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

Sorry tenn man, never done it. Should be in the manual. If you don't have one, I can look when I get home from work in the am., or one of the pros here may be able to walk you through it. I'll re-check your post in the am to see if someone was able to help you.

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

Thanks Jim, I appreciate the reply

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

I'm not familiar with the 1979 models (too new) but they probably aren't any different than my older ones. The positive gearcase engagement system is pretty simple and I don't see how they could have improved it any.<br />If you hold the shift lever forward does the motor stay in gear? There is a spring-loaded arm called the "shifter lock" that a knob on the shift lever rubs against. The arm has irregularly shaped indents in it to hold the shift lever firmly in forward, neutral, or reverse. You can easily see how this works if you take the cover off the motor and watch while you shift. You can loosen the shift lever and adjust its position so that the knob rides on the shift lock properly if you have to. You don't want your gearcase half-engaged when in "forward" - the spring-loaded shift lock should be helping to push the shift lever forward. This causes a slight, constant pressure on the shift rod to keep the gearcase engaged. If you use the motor much with it slipping out of gear you will quickly round off the lobes on the clutch dog and be right back to tearing the lower unit apart again.

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

Hi, try making sure you didn't get the shift rod turned 180 degrees when you reinstalled it.

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

What itstippy said. Here is the procedure. I hope its readable.<br /> http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a25/kajnjim/shift2.jpg

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

Hey Tenn Man. Sorry I don't have an answer to your problem. Just wanted to mention that I also have the exact same engine. You are the first person I've noticed on here to have the 25 horse '79 engine beside myself.<br /><br />I don't know a whole lot about my engine yet, but if there is something I can help you with I'll try.<br /><br />Just out of curiousity, do you have a tach on yours?

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

BWS,<br /><br />No tach on my motor.<br />do you have electric start? I have heard some models do.<br /><br />Tenn Man

Re: 1979 Johnson jumping out of gear

Yeah, mine has electric start. It works great. I've only had this motor for 6 weeks and have replaced the water pump and power pack. Runs great out on the water. Pushes my heavy 14' MFG Superbass pretty well. I had it up to 25mph the other day but normally at WOT it's around 22. My most recent problem is that I'm getting water into my gearcase and I'm gonna have to troubleshoot that. But as far as performance it's been great.