1991 Johnson 8hp tiller shifting

[film495]

I got this motor maybe 10 years ago. Used it for a couple years and left it at my brother's house, so my nephew could use it. Gets some use there and I have other boats and motors.

They seem to have worn out something in the shift mechanism. It doesn't seem to want to go into and out of gear very well, but if you mess wth the propeller, it will still shift. The motor is 3 hours away from me, so - I'm just trying to get some ideas before I mess with it.

I looked at some diagrams, but is there a way to adjust the shift linkages or test them? It is the model with the shift as like a little handle on the front of the motor. Is there a way to set the shifting correctly? I'm not sure I can figure anything out on the motor that would adjust the throw of the handle, or the detents on the part that rotates under the motor to actuate the shift rod? Is there a common piece that goes? I'd like to test it before I consider pulling the lower end, but it could probably use a water pump anyway ... lol

 

[racerone]

If it is the original lower unit there is no clutch dog.-----Shift uses drive balls.----With kids running this motor they may have damaged them.----Easy to take apart for inspection

 

[saltchuckmatt]

I purchased that same motor brand new in 1991/2

Ran it hard today!

Are you trying to shift that while it's off?

If it's not shifting while running, remove the gearcase guys and replace or lube up the balls.

Make sure there's no water in there first.

 

[film495]

I believe it is the original lower unit. I haven't messed with the motor at all, my 14 year old Nephew and his cousin have been using it the last 6 years or so at my brother's place. It was just reported to me that it wasn't shifting right and that if they messed with the prop a bit, it would shift in and out, but would not really shift into and out of gear correctly when running on the boat. I'll probably get a chance to look at it in a few weeks.

Where would you get new balls? Seems like it would take 4 of them, looking at parts diagrams.

What I don't get is how one would ever adjust the linkage or if it is fixed and not supposed to be adjusted. On a lot of controls you can disconnect an arm and turn an adjustment and set a lock nut to tighten it up, but looking at a parts diagram don't see anything like that.

How do you disconnect the shift shaft to drop the lower end. If I'm gonna take it down to work on it a bit, I figure I might as well put a new water pump in it. Certainly, hasn't been done in 10 or 15 years or so, and probably years before that. Might be original.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Shift shaft drops from the power head by doing nothing. No shaft adjustment with those outboards. Remember what gear its in. (Forward, naturel or back)

I recommend pump kit or impeller based upon inspection, the seals in the pump, and remove the plastic cap below the water pump housing and replace 3 seals.

Hold the shift shaft into the gearcase while pulling off the plastic oil cap. If the shaft happens to pull out you will have to do another procedure to get it back in.

Gearcase oil should be changed every year. If they haven't start looking for a parts motor or gearcase. Where I live, your cases are a dime a dozen because they never die. It's almost always power heads.

One last note, if that foot has never been removed to replace the water pump you got a 50/50 chance it's not going to come apart.

Have patience use a lot of penetrating oil, and a whole bunch of heat.

 

[film495]

I found locally a place that sells used lower units that are fully serviced, and pressure tested, so - guess I could just grab one and swap the whole thing if needed.

 

[film495]

I think before I do or buy anything. I need my hands on the motor. It is still 3 hours away at my brother's place. It won't work, but my first thought is to drain the lower unit, and see what is in it. If there's bits of metal, then well - there's that. If not, I guess it wouldn't hurt to just flush it, to clean it out and remove any gum or goo or whatever. Just work the shifter and give it a few minutes to see if it smartens up... lol

My brother, who's a bit mechanical, did say he tested it, and going into forward it would shift into forward, but you had to spin the prop for it to do so. In the water, he said it would not stay in forward. Isn't forward the direction the shift plunger moves under spring pressure, when the little activator off the shift rod pulls back, when shifting into forward? So, in theory that could just be the spring and plunger mechanism gummed up and sticking. or one of the 4 little detent ball bearings or whatever they are, isn't turning and grabs. Maybe I'll be lucky, I can almost see that mechanism stick in my head, and then pop free as soon as the prop is turned.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

Most outboards when not running you will need to spin the prop while shifting.

When mine went out it started screeching. Opened it up, found the balls, greased them so they would stay in place and that gearcase is still running today. I have a backup waiting on the wings.

OMC small motor gearcases last a long time if taken care of.

 

[film495]

Most outboards when not running you will need to spin the prop while shifting.

When mine went out it started screeching. Opened it up, found the balls, greased them so they would stay in place and that gearcase is still running today. I have a backup waiting on the wings.

OMC small motor gearcases last a long time if taken care of.

Interesting. They didn't mention any screeching so - maybe I'll get lucky and it will be easy .. ha ha - yeah, that almost never happens.

 

[airshot]

If they have been using your motor for the past 6 years, perhaps they should be the ones getting your motor fixed. Another reason for not loaning stuff out.....

 

[film495]

If they have been using your motor for the past 6 years, perhaps they should be the ones getting your motor fixed. Another reason for not loaning stuff out.....

yea, there is that, but - my Nephew using it seemed like the best use of the motor. If I fix it, and they want to use it, they can pay the repair fee - even if I do it... lol nothing in the world stopping them from just dropping it off at a marina to be fixed.

 

[saltchuckmatt]

My approach is different because there kids....

Everyone fixes it together and then teach them how to change the gear oil. (Every year)

I'm guessing it's destroyed.

 

[film495]

apparently, my brother ordered parts, my nephew and his cousin were shown how to take it apart, and apparently they'll put it back together. Not sure which parts, but he mentioned there were chunks of metal, and some of it was destroyed/broken, in need of service ... lol

 

[racerone]

Must have found used parts as new might be big $$ or NLA.

 

[film495]

Must have found used parts as new might be big $$ or NLA.

They live in a major summer boating lakes area. You can't take a step without tripping over an old outboard motor, or someone who sells parts, and they have a Napa Marine in the same town. I walked in there years ago and got a head gasket for a 1968 outboard, and it was on their shelf .. lol

 

[racerone]

Parts for the 6 HP of 1968 are easy to find.-----Easier than some new motors.