69 Johnson 40 HP manual lower unit

[bdubious]

I have a 69 Johnson 40hp that will not go into gear. I pulled the access plate of and the linkage moves up and down like it is supposed to. (previous owner told me it had come loose and that was the only problem) Anyway where should I start to fix this. I do have another electric lower unit that I could put on, but if I can fix the original one I would like to. Anyway, the simpler, the better for me. Any advice to an eager mr. fix it.

 

[Tinkerer]

Re: 69 Johnson 40 HP manual lower unit

Starting with the easy stuff:<br /><br />1. Have you been turning the prop while trying to select the gear? If not, try that.<br /><br />2. Are the linkages properly adjusted through the whole system? <br /><br />3. Is there excessive slop in the gear linkages that prevents full travel?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 69 Johnson 40 HP manual lower unit

First, you're aware you will not be able to switch gears without rotating the propeller a little right?<br /><br />If you see the lower rod moving up and down, there are a few simple things left to check. First, make sure the propeller turns with the propshaft, which is to say the prop nut (black) turns with it. If not it's simply a spun propeller hub and/or a broken shear pin. The next big suspect is the phillips head screw on the fin at the bottom of the outboard, aka the skeg. That screw is the pivot for the shift lever inside the gearcase. Often it is accidentally removed while changing the gear oil. The correct drain is the slotted screw. If the phillips one is fully removed, the shift lever falls completly out of place inside the gearcase. To re-align it, you need to first drain the gearcase of oil and remove the pivot screw. Then, while looking through the screw hole with the aid of a flashlight, manipulate the shift lever on the side of the outboard until you see the mating hole in the gearcase shift lever. Then insert the screw (make sure the o-ring on it is still good) through the screw hole, through the hole in the shift lever, and into a boss on the far side (you won't be able to see that though).<br /><br />Good luck, and try anything obvious first! If you feel drag on the screw while removing it, it's probably not the problem, so try to immediatly reinsert it. The above job is very fiddly!

 

[Tinkerer]

Re: 69 Johnson 40 HP manual lower unit

If you're trying to replace the pivot screw you may find it easier if the motor is tilted so that the pivot falls into a position where it is easier to get the screw through.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 69 Johnson 40 HP manual lower unit

bdub...take a look at that shift rod link. Pull the screws out one at a time and make sure the groove in the upper and lower shift rods are aligned with the screw holes in the link. If the grooves aren't aligned, this will throw the shifting outta whack.