need help with lower unit

[littlejohn24581]

Hey Everyone. My name is John,

I have a 1968 Johnson 55HP Tiller motor. it is not shifting into reverse and im not sure if it is going into forward. i am not sure if it has one of those electric shift solenoids or not. i am new to the whole boating thing and i was just wondering how i could check if it is actually in gear of if it is just spinning because the motor is on.

Model: TLR-10R

Serial: J2978587

Here is the serial number and model number maybe someone can help me out please. I know how to work on motors but i just need to know what to do or what to look for to get it into reverse or forward. I had a smaller boat motor but when I put it into forward or reverse it was like CLUNK between the neutral forward and reverse. this one is not like that at all.
Thanks a ton,
John

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

i have searched this forum for stuff like this and no luck if anyone could guide me in the right direction that would be great. Also, does anyone know where i can get replacement parts for this motor? I have looked all over the web and can't find anything. the only place that i found was http://www.maxrules.com/fixomcindex.html but not sure how to order parts on here

 

[F_R]

Re: need help with lower unit

Your motor has Hydro-Electric shift. It is actually shifted hydraulically. The electric part only works oil control valves by way of the shift solenoids. Because it shifts by haudraulic pressure, the motor has to be running for it to shift. If it is not running, the oil pump is not running, thus no shift.

The motor defaults to forward gear. That means if the motor is not running, it will be in forward gear. Or in case of electrical or other failure it goes into forward gear.

To see if it is working, simply start the motor and operate the control lever through forward, neutral, and reverse.

The oil in the lower unit doubles as the hydraulic fluid and must be kept clean and free of water. Change it periodically, using only "Premium Blend Gearcase Oil" from a Johnson or Evinrude dealer.

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

OK so one more thing then..... when i bought the boat the kid that sold it to me was like there is no reverse. When i checked the lower unit oil level. i took off the top screw and then the bottom one and nothing came out that means that its empty or is the oil just that thick? i know that these are really dumb questions but i just wondering.

one more thing, how much oil do i put in there and does the oil in there make it shift (if it is empty will it shift)?

thanks a lot
John

PS. what type of oil should i use?

 

[ezeke]

Re: need help with lower unit

For the gearcase, use the oil that F_R told you to use in his last sentence. You pump the oil in the bottom (filler) hole until it comes out the top (vent) hole.

For engine oil follow the link here: http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/About.Us/FAQ/Oil.Fuel.htm

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

ok so i put in the oil and everything and nothing. When i put it into gear forword or reverse nothing. I took off the prop and it looks like something is missing. the shaft that the prop goes onto moves inand out like an inch and when i turn it it doesn't catch if it is out. but when i push it in it catches on something. As for the shifting any sugestions? i ordered an manual for the engine and it should be in tomorrow. I am totally clueless. I dont know how to keep that shaft in so it wil catch and i dont know why it wont shift. any help would be a HUGE help
THANKS A TON,
John

 

[F_R]

Re: need help with lower unit

Shaft moves in and out an INCH??? Wow, there is something terribly wrong in the gearcase. No wonder it won't shift. Only way to fix this one is to tear it apart and see what's ka-flooey. Probably not worth fixing.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: need help with lower unit

(Hydro Electric Shift)
(J. Reeves)

The shifting setup of the lower unit is what's called a "Hydro Electric Shift", which is quite complex consisting of voltage being applied to solenoids in the lower unit which in turn change oil passages via a oil pump that supplies various pressure on a spring loaded shifter dog. The wires leading to the lower unit (at the powerhead) are "Green" and "Blue". The engine must be running or cranking over in order to shift out of forward gear.

You CAN NOT use HI VIS lube in that lower unit. You MUST USE what OMC calls "Premium Blend" lube, commonly called "Type C". (A thinner lube)

Note: The engine must be running OR have the driveshaft turning by some other means in order for the engine to shift.

In neutral, you need 12v to the "Green" wire.
In reverse, you need 12v to both wires, the "Green" one and the "Blue" one.
In forward, there should be no voltage to either wire. (The spring loaded shifter dog forces the unit into forward gear)

To check the lower unit for proper shifting to make sure you have no trouble there, remove the spark plugs to avoid problems and to allow a higher cranking speed.

This next step eliminates the actual shift switch in case problems may exist there.... Disconnect the blue & green wires at the knife connectors (the rubber insulated boots) leading to the lower unit at the powerhead, then using jumpers, take voltage direct from the starter solenoid to apply voltage to the "Green" wire for neutral, then both wires 'Green" & "Blue" for reverse (Remember the engine must be cranking over in order to shift).
With no voltage applied, the unit should be in forward. No need for a ground jumper... the lower unit's already grounded. You may crank the engine with the key switch or by energizing the starter solenoid with a jumper wire.

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

ok joe, so you are telling me that there should be little play in the shaft or not. I got how to see if it will shift but that play in normal?

another thing how do i go about taking the lower unit apart? i took off the 5 bolts that looked like they held it together but when i took them all off nothing. didn't move.

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

ok i was under the empression that all the wires (forward reverse ect) were actually in the gear case but there not. The oil that i am using is Johnson Premium Blend for motors with electric shift. if i am not getting voltage or it is not shifting what would be my next step? The Shop?

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

update on this whole thing. I was on craigs list just poking around. I come across someone with a 60HP envenrude motor. He is selling it for like $600.00. He said the motor is in really good condition and it has good comptession and he went through the lower unit. He said he would do trades. So I am traiding my motor to him and giving him like $400.00cash. does this sound like a good deal or not. he said it shifts into forward and reverse but he hasn't had it in the water yet. Any advise on what to look for?
Thanks a ton,
John

 

[F_R]

Re: need help with lower unit

A water test. Anything less is you pays yer money and you takes yer chances. Back in the old days we called that a pig in a poke.

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

well man i really hope this works if not then i wont be out much. I figure $900.00 for boat trailer and motor aint bad. The only thing wrong with the boat is that the lights dont light up but eh.... nothing i cant fix there.

 

[aaromba]

Re: need help with lower unit

John

If you dont trade the motor let me know I have teh exact same motor, I might be interested in buying it. Follow there advice on here they helped me through all my problems and troubleshooting!!! These guys know their stuff

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

ok i sure will but im like 99% positive that i will be traiding it in. i will post pics up on here as soon as i get the new motor on the boat. i am excited to get it out. I am gonna tell the guy that i need to take it on the water and he needs to give me some sort of guarentee that if it bogs down under load that he will clean the carbs and do what needs to be done to run correctly. he was telling me that the compression is at about 140lbs on all three cylinders. and that he went through the carbs last summer. you never know.
thanks a ton,
John

 

[littlejohn24581]

Re: need help with lower unit

ok so i got the motor the guy said that if i have any problem with it bring it to him and he will fix it free of charge because he "sold me a good running motor".

Props to this guy. I really like people like that. He even put it in writing for me .

so i guess on sunday evening or monday i will be putting it into water.

Thanks to everyone who gave me advise. I really appreceate it a TON