1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

[IA rookie]

I have disassembled, cleaned, and checked the entire prop shaft assembly. After reassembling the gearcase I put the motor in a barrel to test run it. It seems to shift fine but the propeller just spins very slowly no matter what rpm's I run the motor at. I can turn the propeller by hand when the motor is not running and the motor will turn. The impeller is pumping water so I think the problem is in the gearcase. The pinion, forward and reverse gears all looked good. The clutch dogs showed only minimal wear. I'm running out of ideas. Has anybody ran into a problem like this?

 

[maked]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

hey this suggestion is not supposed to be a stupid one, but assuming you outboard uses one, I don't suppose you forgot to replace the shear pin in behind the propeller when you reassembled the thing?

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Not a stupid suggestion at all. Yes I did install the shear pin. <br />Thanks for the response.

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

^

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

I have a 1957 Evinrude 5.5hp Fisherman. Right underneath the power head on the drive shaft where it goes into the crank is a spring loaded clutch that is supposed to protect the engine from sudden shocks if you hit something. This clutch is subject to wearing out - the spring could also be broken. Assume you have a manual. Remove the powerhead and check this clutch for worn out friction washers or broken spring. Hope this helps.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

these Props also have a rubber hub replace it!!!

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

I may be giving you the wrong info here. I rechecked my manual and now I can't remember if this **** clutch was on the 'rude or on another kicker motor I worked on. Someone else who knows (like Joe from OMC) needs to jump in here and correct me if I'm wrong. It wouldn't hurt to pull the powerhead anyway and check the place where the shaft goes into the crank for wear and slippage. I've worked on a bunch of old motors in the last few months and I sometimes get them mixed up.

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Thanks for the suggestion Sqeakit, but wouldn't the fact that the motor pumps water out the telltale indicate that the drive shaft is operating? Please advise if this assumption is incorrect.

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Sloopy, thanks for the suggestion. I believe this propeller doesn't have a rubber hub. The shear pin goes through the propeller which appears to be one piece.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

!!SORRY! IT DOES!!! the prop is aluminum and the hub is bronze, there is a rubber hub !!! I know there is. but it on the motor oK then puyt the sheer pin and cone on, next put it in forward and try spinning the propellor if the prop moves with just ten pounds of force you need a new hub!

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Sloopy's probably alot closer to your problem then I was. After thinking long and hard, I believe that clutch was on another motor I tried to fix (and couldn't). I looked at my prop and the shear pin does go thru a bronze hub. Pull the prop off and take a good look at it. Good point about the waterpump- but something is definitely slipping. Is your shift rod adjusted correctly? But check prop thoroughly first. Hope you fix it. These old motors can teach you a whole new language when they don't work, but you'll feel GREAT when you finally get it right!

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Guys I appreciate your patience in helping me with this problem. I have looked at the propeller again. It does have a bronze hub pressed into the aluminum propeller. I can not see any rubber between the hub and prop. The prop and hub are painted and there is no crack in the paint. I think this indicates the prop is not slipping on the hub. Any other ideas will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

TOLD YOU SO!!!<br /><br />you can't see it, unless it is off!!! did you try the trick I told you? try spinning the hub andpropellor in different dirrections! if it spins yu got a hub problem!

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Sloopy, if you refer to my first post in this thread, I explained that I can turn the propeller by hand and it turns the motor,(i.e., I can see the flywheel turning). And yes I did take the prop off to check it. I scratched the paint in one spot at the inner end of the prop. I can see where the bronze hub is pressed into the aluminum prop. There is no rubber between the 2 metals, that I can see.

 

[Squeakit]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Kent - you really got me curious now. You said you scratched the paint in the prop; could you make a mark on the hub, and on the aluminum and then run the motor to see if the marks still line up?? That would give you a definitive answer whether or not the hub is rotating inside the prop. If the marks don't line up, then you know it's the prop, rubber or no rubber. If the marks still line up, then the prob is slippage between the engine and the propshaft Somewhere. I think that clutch I spoke of was in a 7.5hp McCulloch engine that turned out to be a total disaster - however if the 'johnny has one, it could be slipping enough to still allow the impeller to turn - if the prop's OK then maybe your driveshaft isnt properly seated in the ?pinion gear? - not sure of the term here - I'm going to go get my manual and take a good look at the exploded view of the gearcase and if I have any brilliant insights (unlikely) I'll get back to you. Don't give up!

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

^

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Guys, maybe I'm being stubborn about this, but if the paint which covers the prop is not split, doesn't that indicate that the prop is not slipping on the hub.<br />The reason I am trying to avoid assembling this gearcase again is I've already had it apart and back together 4 times and I don't want to ruin the new o'rings and seals I installed the first time.<br />Also, I stuck a phillips screw driver through the shear pin hole in the hub and held the prop while I tried to turn the hub. The hub did not spin. All I accomplished was bending a good screwdriver.<br />Thanks for hanging in there with me to try and work through this problem.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

I'm stumbed, you would not be able to see it if you spun a hub, the paint is on the hub and prop not on the rubber, you can not see the rubber, it is hard to explain <br /><br />you might be missing a pin in the gear case?

 

[IA rookie]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

Well I think I've had enough for today. I'm going to bed and hope the "good boat motor fairies" fix it before I wake up.<br />Appreciate all the help.<br />Good night.

 

[sloopy]

Re: 1957 5.5 Johnson. Propeller doesn't spin.

HOLD ON!!!