Recent content by fmanerchia

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    '73 85HP Johnny stalls in gear

    My 85 HP 4 stroke sat out the last two seasons (L/U problems.) We put it in the water 3 weeks ago and just drove it from the slip to the dock, it started right up and drove without a problem. Last weekend, I got prepared to take her out. She started right up but as we pushed off, she kept...
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    Lower Unit Questions

    1973 85HP 4 stroke (85ESL73M). Put on a new L/U and had forward and reverse until it hit the water, then only forward. The shift rod connector was adjusted instead of the gear cable adjuster. Now it's out of whack. <br /> Can we find the correct depth on the shift rod by spinning the...
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    Procedure for adjusting shift cables

    I've just put a new LU on a 1973 '85 HP Johnson. While we were putting it on, we paid no attention to how far the shift rod connector was screwed onto the rod. After we had everything connected, we were able to shift into forward and reverse. When we put it in the water, we couldn't get...
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    adjusting shift rod

    Hi all,<br /> I've just spent all weekend putting a different LU on a 85ESL73M. Here's the weird part, when we had it on land with ears, it would idle, spin one way when the throttle was pushed forward, and the other way when the throttle was pulled back. We cheered and launched it at the...
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    '73 85HP 4 cyl. Johnson gearbox details

    Hello,<br /> Can anyone give me the details on the bottom end that went with a 85 hp Johnson (Model 85ESL-73M, Serial # J3856855). What length driveshaft did it have, how many water inlets did the waterpump have. I've been scouring ebay and have found a few of them available, but I'm not sure...
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    Gearbox type

    Greetings all.<br /> I have a 1973. 85 hp Johnson (Model 85ESL-73M, Serial # J3856855). Is there any way to tell from the model/SN whether this engine has a mechanical shift or a mechanical shift with hydrolic assistance. <br />Thanks,<br /> Frank
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    Swapping bottom ends

    Hi everyone. I have an 85 hp Johnson (Model 85ESL-73M, Serial # J3856855) that stopped going into gear, forward or reverse. After pulling the boat out of the water and draining the oil (black water) out of the bottom end, I’ve seen that there are pits and pinholes in the engine. I have another...
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    holes in lower end

    Hi everyone. I have a 85 hp Johnson (Model 85ESL-73M, Serial # J3856855) that stopped going into gear, forward or reverse. I pulled it out of the water and the bottom end has been eaten up. It has a few postage stamp sized pits, three or four pin holes and several microscopic leaks, as evidenced...
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    1973 85HP Johnson outboard won't go into gear

    Hi everyone. I have a 85 hp Johnson (Model 85ESL-73M, Serial # J3856855) that stopped going into gear, forward or reverse. My questions are, since it has a power assist cylinder, could this be caused by too little/no gear fluid? (That was my really stupid question.) <br /> My second question...
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