Hi Guys,
My son has a 1977 Johnson 10EL77A 9.9 long shaft. This is only the second year for this boat/motor and he runs it 2 days a week. He gounded the prop on a gravel bar at low speed today and said it would not shift. I had just installed a new Solas prop I bought him last week since the hub spun on the OMC prop. First time out with the new prop. He is so depressed. Brought it over to my house to diagnose.
I drained the LU oil and found 4 gear chunks, smaller pieces and fine metal particles and a piece of the detent spring. Worked the shifter to so it will shift forward to neutral but not into reverse. In neutral (by the detent on the motor shift rod) the flywheel will not turn more than an inch. The prop turns but is stiff and still feels like pieces grinding.
He says he was at about half throttle, hit the gravel, heard the motor/LU rev up and immediately shut it down.
I have the OEM book and replacing the gears looks like it takes some special tools. The motor is good for a 1977. No fuel, carb, ignition or compression problems. So here are my questions.
I found a gear set on Ebay for $200. Is this a repalcement a DYI job? What else might have to be replaced along the drive shaft?
Should I pull it apart, get the used gears and have a shop put it back together?
Should I go with a used LU for $300 and take my chances with that? I think a ?74 to ?84 will work. Also a 15 hp LU will work.
Invest $1000 for another 9.9 long shart electric start? Need the 9.9 for lake restrictions.
Of course, looking for the best and least cost option. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
My son has a 1977 Johnson 10EL77A 9.9 long shaft. This is only the second year for this boat/motor and he runs it 2 days a week. He gounded the prop on a gravel bar at low speed today and said it would not shift. I had just installed a new Solas prop I bought him last week since the hub spun on the OMC prop. First time out with the new prop. He is so depressed. Brought it over to my house to diagnose.
I drained the LU oil and found 4 gear chunks, smaller pieces and fine metal particles and a piece of the detent spring. Worked the shifter to so it will shift forward to neutral but not into reverse. In neutral (by the detent on the motor shift rod) the flywheel will not turn more than an inch. The prop turns but is stiff and still feels like pieces grinding.
He says he was at about half throttle, hit the gravel, heard the motor/LU rev up and immediately shut it down.
I have the OEM book and replacing the gears looks like it takes some special tools. The motor is good for a 1977. No fuel, carb, ignition or compression problems. So here are my questions.
I found a gear set on Ebay for $200. Is this a repalcement a DYI job? What else might have to be replaced along the drive shaft?
Should I pull it apart, get the used gears and have a shop put it back together?
Should I go with a used LU for $300 and take my chances with that? I think a ?74 to ?84 will work. Also a 15 hp LU will work.
Invest $1000 for another 9.9 long shart electric start? Need the 9.9 for lake restrictions.
Of course, looking for the best and least cost option. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.