keithm1961
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2010
- Messages
- 46
Thought I'd take a minute and post some info.
The engine is a Johnson 85, 1976 model. A freind gave this engine to me back in the fall, he had rebuilt the powerhead 5 years ago but had never ran the engine. I rebuilt the "foot", new seals and water pump, I also had to hunt down a shift rod and cover. Finally got it all together and took it to the lake yesterday. Had a little trouble starting it, I was afraid I was using to much choke and would flood it but found out I wasnt using enough. After a good warm up I checked the standard stuff, shift adjustment weep holes. Then a lot of low speed operation and then high speed, engine is smooth and accelerates nicely, no stumbles. I think the idle might be a little low. After about 10 miles I noticed a shift issue. It goes right into reverse but wont grab forward until the throttle starts to increase. I tried the trunion adjust ment but just couldnt get it. I've got to move the adjuster on the end of the push rod. When I drained the foot oil I was hoping to find golden oil, but no it was creamy white.
So here are my questions, first why is there not a seal on the cover where the shift rod goes thru, its just a brass bushing, I take it water doesnt hurt it?
I replaced every seal and o ring in the foot, where could the leak be coming from, whats most common?
I tryedsetting the shift rod length to the length specified in the manual, but that was a half inch to long. Once I got the length correct I found there was a 1/4" of room left in reverse and the linkage bottomed out in forward, so I've moved the adjuster by 1/4. Does this sound correct.
Hopefully I'm on the right track and can be back in the water this weekend.
Thanks
Keith
The engine is a Johnson 85, 1976 model. A freind gave this engine to me back in the fall, he had rebuilt the powerhead 5 years ago but had never ran the engine. I rebuilt the "foot", new seals and water pump, I also had to hunt down a shift rod and cover. Finally got it all together and took it to the lake yesterday. Had a little trouble starting it, I was afraid I was using to much choke and would flood it but found out I wasnt using enough. After a good warm up I checked the standard stuff, shift adjustment weep holes. Then a lot of low speed operation and then high speed, engine is smooth and accelerates nicely, no stumbles. I think the idle might be a little low. After about 10 miles I noticed a shift issue. It goes right into reverse but wont grab forward until the throttle starts to increase. I tried the trunion adjust ment but just couldnt get it. I've got to move the adjuster on the end of the push rod. When I drained the foot oil I was hoping to find golden oil, but no it was creamy white.
So here are my questions, first why is there not a seal on the cover where the shift rod goes thru, its just a brass bushing, I take it water doesnt hurt it?
I replaced every seal and o ring in the foot, where could the leak be coming from, whats most common?
I tryedsetting the shift rod length to the length specified in the manual, but that was a half inch to long. Once I got the length correct I found there was a 1/4" of room left in reverse and the linkage bottomed out in forward, so I've moved the adjuster by 1/4. Does this sound correct.
Hopefully I'm on the right track and can be back in the water this weekend.
Thanks
Keith
