1953 Johnson shift rod oring replacement

[SeaHorse]

I need to replace the oring that seals the shift rod where it goes through the lower unit into the gearcase of my RD-14, 25 HP. The shaft is about 1/4" in diameter. I have removed the gears and shift rod and can see the old oring but it looks like it is between two parts of the lower unit casting. From the bottom I can see what looks like a penny sized washer pushed right flush with the casting but I can't see any way of removing it. The parts explosion shows that PN 301878 bushing holds the oring.<br />I think I have to be careful because the bushing might be unobtainium. I have the new oring.<br />Can anyone help me with removing/reinstalling the oring? <br />Thanks

 

[JB]

Re: 1953 Johnson shift rod oring replacement

Sorry Seahorse. My manual covers the RD series and shows what you are trying to do in the diagrams, but gives no clue as to how to replace it.<br /><br />Good luck,<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[clanton]

Re: 1953 Johnson shift rod oring replacement

You can dig the old o-ring out with a small pick, push new o-ring in shift rod hole work 1 side of o-ring into groove using 2 blunt picks working the ring into groove. Sometimes I use wood dowel same size as shift rod to keep o-ring from being pushed out the other side of shiftrod hole. Dont give up.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1953 Johnson shift rod oring replacement

Hi SeaHorse,<br /> I've made a tool to remove the bushings on my motors. I took a 6" long nail and ground the head down to clearance the hole in the aluminum casting, but not the hole in the bronze bushing (they're a couple thousandths different) and drive the bushing out from the other side. It's a press fit. Once the bushing is out, remove the old o-ring, clean up the parts with parts cleaner, install the new o-ring, and smear a small dab of Loc-Tite on the bushing's outer surface before pressing it back in.<br /><br />- Scott

 

[SeaHorse]

Re: 1953 Johnson shift rod oring replacement

Thank you Clanton and Chinewalker. My dental pick got me nowhere and I was thinking, "This guy (Clanton) has WAY more patience than I have." Then I made this custom tool from a regular screwdriver:<br />

<br /><br />The old oring was almost Ace comb hard so it broke into 8 pieces during removal. It was probably the original put in at the factory 50 years ago. The new one went right in but was folded but I was able to get it straightened out. At any moment during the whole deal I was ready to go to the backup plan (Chinewalker's suggestion) and just bang the thing out but luckily that wasn't necessary. <br /><br />Thanks again