Mechanical or Electric Shift?

[Angry_Babs]

Im a new boat owner, I purchased a 1975 70hp Johnson, 3 CYL outboard, model 70ESL75E. Ive looked and looked,on the web for a document that could tell me what type of lower unit oil to use.<br /><br />I notice there are two types, electric shift and mechanical shift... I dont have the manual, so Im not sure. <br /><br />I dont see any wires going down to the lower unit.<br /><br />I would ask the guy I bought it from but I can't seem to get ahold of him about it. <br /><br />Can anyone tell me if my motor is electric or mechanical shift, and what type of gearbox oil I should be using?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

1975 is a hydro mechanical. You should have two cables coming out of your control box. One is throttle, thj other shift.<br /><br />Use OMC/Bombardier "Premium Blend" or eqivelant.

 

[Angry_Babs]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

Is this also called "hypoid 90" ? Should the product actually say "Hydro Mechcanical shift" on it?

 

[Angry_Babs]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

And I do indeed have two cables... One is choke, and the other is throttle, so are they actually refering to the mechanical shifting of the motor into gear by cable?

 

[DJ]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

The cable that you think is the choke, is the throttle cable. Your choke should be electric.<br /><br />Scratch my recommendation. Use OMC Hi Vis or equivelant. Hypoid 90 is not the same.<br /><br />You can use just about any OEM L/U fluid. Johnson annd Evinrude were the only ones that had an electruic shift that took a special fluid and I believe it was Premium Blend.<br /><br />If the motor is truly a 75, the shift is hydro mechanical. They stopped nmaking electric shifts in 1972.<br /><br />Make sure you change the fill and drain plug screw seals.

 

[Angry_Babs]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

My two plugs dont have any seals.

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

Better go get some, might get water in there if you dont

 

[kd6nem]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

Hold on a minute! I don't mean to be disagreeable here, but I'd like something clarified. I do not know which type of shift this is. BUT, if it is a hydro-electric you must use type c, also known as premium blend. Never heard of any Hydro-mechanical- I strongly suspect there is no such animal. If mechanical shift use conventional Hi-vis LU oil. But if hydro-electric that will not work right at all! Lets make sure what we have here before deciding on oil type. Isn't this a conventional mechanical shift? I don't have a model cross ref handy.

 

[grizzlyadams]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

the electric shift models have buttons to shift into gear. have a 40 hp mid 60s with electric shift. if they get wet it shifts in and out of gear.

 

[BillP]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

My manual shows "OMC SeaLube Premium Blend" for a 1975 omc 70hp.<br /><br />Also, my mid 60s V4 75hp had electric shift but it wasn't buttons. The shifter looked just like todays shifters.

 

[DJ]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

If the the shifter has two distinct thick cables (the same size) exiting the back of it, it's a hydro mechanical.<br /><br />They used to call it "Powershift II". It used hydraulic pressure (built in the L/U) to aid in shifting.<br /><br />OMC did not produce any electric shift models after 1972.<br /><br />"Type C", "Hi Vis", "Premium Blend", heck, it's all a blur now.<br /><br />I always used Hi Vis in my OMC's.<br /><br />If the fill/drain plugs do not have seals, they are in DESPERATE need of them. Pick up a bunch, they'e cheap insurance.

 

[ledgefinder]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

DJ's right. That's a hydraulically-assisted mechanical shifting unit. After 1977 (I think), they switch over to the purely mechanical units. 1972 and older are hydro-electric.

 

[DJ]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

The PS II was a new feature of the "73" models.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Mechanical or Electric Shift?

The 1975 50hp, 70hp, 75hp, Evinrude/Johnson lower units were strictly mechanical shift units and used HiVis 80/90w gearlube.<br /><br />The 1975 85hp, 116hp, and 135hp Evinrude/Johnson lowerunits were what is called "Shift Assist" type units. The mechanical linkage changed the position slightly of a vertical shifting plunger which allowed a oil pump to force oil pressure into a specific area of the plunger (forward or reverse area). This pressure helped the operator to move the plunger, enabling the unit to shift into one gear or the other.<br /><br />This "Shift Assist" unit used "Premium Blend" also known as "Type C". I have no idea what Bombardier calls it.<br /><br />When the little old lady from Passadena finally died, everyone else had the strength to shift without this device so it was discontinued.