1963 Johnson 40 super seahorse woes... worth saving?

[Pleasetow2ramp]

So, in the beginning of the summer I traded a gun for a boat. a 1963 P14 with 1963 Johnson super seahorse model rd25 engine. Its always starts when I turn the key but idles rough and dies at low rpms.

At first it ran strong and reliable and me and my family had a blast zipping around the lake and pulling the kids around on tubes etc. But,,after a few trips out it started knocking and then slipping out of gear. I did some reading around here and put a new clutch dog in it. resealed the water pump and new impeller too while I was in there.

Seemed to fix the problem but then after two trips all the gears when out except reverse and I have to reverse all the way back in, taking on water the whole time (my boat doesn't like to reverse. )

Tore apart the lower to find that the shift cradle some how had come off the dog and got caught in the gears.
I put it back together and resealed it.

Take it out. seems to be fixed but then 20 minutes later nearly the same thing happens. all gears go out except now when I shift to reverse I can go forward but slowly.

Im pretty sure the shift cradle came off the pivot arms and fell into the gears again. At this point Im sick of wrenching on this thing and obviously too incompetent to make it work. I called the local marine repair shop and spoke with the mechanic to get a quote and he told me that he wouldn't touch it and that my best bet was buying a replacement lower unit.

What do you guys think? At this point I think my options are.. Sell the whole thing (boat trailer, engine) at a fair loss to me for like 3-500$ ?
Try to buy a replacement lower unit off ebay?
What years lower unit is compatible?
Thanks for reading and sorry for my long rant

 

[Pleasetow2ramp]

Will this fit? see any other good ones? think this will solve that problem?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Johnson-Ev...85354-385354/263838833343?hash=item3d6e051abf

 

[Pleasetow2ramp]

This is one I considered too...https://www.ebay.com/itm/67-68-69-7...m=183320599630&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

 

[racerone]

The one in post # 2 may not fit.-----There are lots of those units around.----Your location?

 

[F_R]

First one (1972) will not fit your '63. Second one will fit, but are you sure you would spend that much money for such a crusty looking unit that might be in worse shape than yours (??)

Your unit probably is repairable if you figure out what you are doing wrong in there. They don't normally fall apart like that.

 

[Chinewalker]

Agreed with F_R - those are generally solid lower units. It's virtually impossible for the shift cradle to come out of the clutch dog, or the shift fork to come out of the cradle, unless it's worn or improperly installed. The cradle is a softer metal than the clutch dog, so they will wear, particularly if the unit is run with water in the oil. If the shift fork isn't properly seated or is bent, then it may come loose from the cradle. I'm betting this is a simple fix if nothing else was damaged in the process.

As for your rough idle and low RPM stalling, it's likely a full carb rebuild with modern carb kit will take care of that. This assumes your motor is basically healthy, otherwise, with good compression and spark.

 

[racerone]

Before you spend any coins on a 55 year old motor you need to evaluate the condition.----The fact that a motor starts and pushes the boat means little to me.-----Rough idle may mean there are issues.----I would remove the bypass covers to do an inspection of pistons / rings first.----2 small covers on the port side.

 

[Pleasetow2ramp]

I’m pretty sure I’m installing something wrong... it’s also nearly impossible to get the damn pivot pin it once I put the cover back on the lower. This probably has something to do with my problem.

I feel like the rough idle idle is a carb problem. I haven’t tried cleaning or blowing it out. Sometimes it’ll run slow at wot. That means carb?

im debating taking it apart yet again. Guess that’s my best option at this point.

 

[racerone]

Assemble the gearcase upside down.-----Put clutch dog all the way in forward.-----Push shift rod down ( towards floor).-----Install cap with 2 screws.-----Shift pin hole in fork will be lined up and or visible.----Put pin in .----Install rest of the screws.

 

[F_R]

I'm guessing bent fork. But if bent that badly, one would not expect it to shift properly.

 

[Pleasetow2ramp]

I’m pretty sure I’m installing something wrong... it’s also nearly impossible to get the damn pivot pin it once I put the cover back on the lower. This probably has something to do with my problem.

I feel like the rough idle idle is a carb problem. I haven’t tried cleaning or blowing it out. Sometimes it’ll run slow at wot. That means carb?

im debating taking it apart yet again. Guess that’s my best option at this point.

 

[Pleasetow2ramp]

So I tore it all apart The fork had come out of the cradle again. It appears that it was bent and some material had been removed from it hitting the gears . I bent it with some pliers and it seems to be much better now I already put the whole thing back together.
It wont shift into reverse now when I test shift. But I think it’s solid on forwards and neutrals and that’s all I need.

Assuming i I fixed this problem the next is the rough idle. Everyone says carb clean but I have now clue how to take this carb apart. There’s no YouTube videos or anything. Does anyone have the service manual for this engine? Advice?

 

[Willyclay]

Does anyone have the service manual for this engine? Advice?

Try this link: http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/images/a/a7/Evinrudeservice002.pdf