1968 6hp Johnson

[johnson peters]

does the power head have to come off to change the impeller? Some say yes, some say no

 

[F_R]

Re: 1968 6hp Johnson

Not on a 1968, if you are sure that's what you have.

Remove the spark plugs, put motor in forward gear.

Remove the four bolts holding the lower unit on, and slowly turn the flywheel while dropping the lower unit down. There is a pin in the shaft which has to come down through a slot. As you turn the flywheel, the pin will "find" the slot and come down through it.

When you are able to get it down about an inch, look in the gap and you will see the brass shift rod connector. Remove one screw from it and then the lower unit will com on down and away.

Note the position of the pin so you can put it in the same position for re-installation

 

[johnson peters]

Re: 1968 6hp Johnson

I hate to be a pain, Captain ... but

got the lower unit off - can't get the lower portion of the shift linkage to stay 'up' so that I can reconnect the brass shift rod connector. That was the point at which I started to think the power head had to be removed.

Is there a trick to the reconnect process?

And yep - she's a 1968 for sure. 'Inherited' it from my Dad and I'm determined to put the old girl to use.

 

[F_R]

Re: 1968 6hp Johnson

That's strange. The shift rod has a strong detent to hold it in gear. Once it snaps in gear it should stay there. Are you sure you are getting it all the way in gear (twirl the prop). If it is flopping up and down the detent must be loose or something. (???)

 

[johnson peters]

Re: 1968 6hp Johnson

Well, got it back together but noticed a strange 'tick' as I rotated the propellor while in gear. Disassembled again. Discovered the new impeller is incorrect - the rubber part is correct, but the bushing is for a larger shaft. It's 'spinning' on the shaft and the 'tick' is from the key popping in and out of the keyway.

Now the question is whether the supplier mislabelled the part or whether the part spec is incorrect ...