1991 Johnson 225 Gearcase issues

Hello everyone,

I have a 1991 Johnson 225 Ocean Runner (J225PXEIC) that runs perfectly. I am having issues with the gearcase, however. When I bought the boat and motor recently, the throttle was giving me issues. When you pulled the throttle back, the boat went forwards and vice versa. I knew this was wrong, but I figured it was just the wrong prop, so I bought a left handed rotation ss prop (14 1/2" by 19"). This made it to where when the throttle is pushed forward the engine pushed the boat forward and vice versa; the correct setup. The only problem is that when I took the boat out, I got it on plane and then something happened and now the boat wont shift into forward gear, it just clinks. I assumed the forward gear was ruined by years of use with the incorrect prop and bought another lower end. I installed the new lower end on the boat and went out. The same exact thing happened. I get it ont plane a three seconds later it acts like the prop fell off. I am getting tired of wasting money and riding home in reverse, so I wondered if anyone thought this might be some other issue. I wonder, will the thrust of the left handed rotation shaft cause the prop shaft to push the forward gear away from driveshaft enough that it will miss? Or am I just ruining lower ends for some other reason? Any ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks

Re: 1991 Johnson 225 Gearcase issues

It looks like you have a counter rotating motor, but didn't realize it. That would explain the backwards stuff with a standard prop.

Are you telling us you've had multiple lower units, all with problems? It's not clear exactly what is going on, except it appears you cannot get the motor shifted into fwd. There's a number of possibilities, such as internal damage to the lower unit, shift cable not correctly adjusted, etc. If you disconnect the shift cable at the motor, can you manually shift into fwd? Have you had the LU off and rotated the shift rod?

Re: 1991 Johnson 225 Gearcase issues

there is something not right (understatement i know) by your model number you have a standard rotation gearcase. Look at end of prop shaft if it has a "c" stmped into it it is infact a counter rotation unit
With a left hand prop installed you are actually running gearcase in reverse...unfortunately the gearcase was not designed for long term high torque use in reverse.
I suspect you are not using a OMC side mount control...possibly a binacle or another supplier.
Remove shift cable from motor have a helper shift into forward gear while watching cable it should pull into itself...if it lengthens wrong setup at control. As omc shift into forward by pulling .Unfortunatly you probably blew another gearcase.
.
Wayne