Old Johnson outboard

[Jaybird_94]

I have a 1973 Johnson 50hp outboard,mechanical shift, hanging on a 1971 31 ft pontoon boat. It was a complete rehab job and a labor of love. During the rehab, I found and bought a 1971 Johnson 50hp elect. shift for parts. Now I want to break down the spare engine and store away the lower unit and the power head and discard the intermediate unit. The problem that i am having is; I have the lower unit removed but I can not seem to seperate the power head from the intermediate unit. All the nuts are off and the seal is broken. The lower cover is loose. I can seperate the power head from the intermediate unit about a quarter inch with a flat bar and large screwdriver but it seems to be hung up. Is there a trick bolt up inside the intermediate unit or is there something that may cause the parts to not seperate? I have a shop manual but it is at the pontoon boat at the lake and the spare engine is hanging in my house garage, 100 miles away.<br />I would appreciate any suggestions.

 

[ajp]

Re: Old Johnson outboard

I had my electric shift apart awhile back. It seems that there are a bunch of bolts to make that happen. A couple in particular are 2 taps(nuts) on the front of the engine. I didn't see them at first. The studs stay with the block. Another idea is the mounts for the lower cowling(cover). I had to remove them to get the lower exhaust housing to slide by.<br /><br />FYI<br /><br />Arlan<br /><br />PS Your service manual would help a bunch.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Old Johnson outboard

Did you remove the nut on the bottom of the powerhead stud that goes thru the adapter housing in the center aft area? You have to look even with the bottom of the p/h to see it and it takes a 1/2" wrench.<br /><br />The gearcases and midsections are not interchangable if I remember correctly.