28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

[loustults]

Just bought a older 25' Float Boat equipped with a 28hp Johnson SPL (not sure model or year yet, was told it is 90'). After replacing worn Bendix I discovered the starter is too far away from the fly wheel to engage it. Looks like this has been a problem for some time (See some JB Weld where it mounts to block & some home-made bracketing). Price was right so not too concerned if motor is junk...however it does run decent after pullstarting.

What is reasonible price to pay to fix? Is it even worth fixing? Should someone with "above-average" mechanicals skills attempt to fix?

Thanks-a-million!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

Hi Lou,

Any chance you can post a picture of it? I would wonder why the starter is too far away in the first place. Do you mean it is too low and will not engage the flywheel when the starter gear comes up?

 

[loustults]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

It is high enough...just can't tighten mounting bolts enough so Bendix matches fly wheel where it should. It's about 1/8" shy and only grinds gears.

I think upper starter mounting bolt broke off in block & previous owner drilled out, "built-up" block with JB Weld, and re-tapped the hole. I haven't taken it apart yet...just weighing my options...before diving right in d

Can get picture in a few weeks when back at lake...

Thansk again for any advice for this 1st-time boat owner!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

Yeah, it sounds like someone did a homemade patch job and it's not working out. I have an 89' 28 HP Johnson that I've had since new and it's a great little motor. Can't remember the last time I had a problem with it....

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

Depending on what actually happened, a good welder can build up the mounting boss. The boss can then be properly drilled and tapped. I had a a piston skirt break and punch a hold in the side of the block some years ago. The piece was welded and the engine lived on for years after. It does take someone who knows what they are doing however.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

check out what you have the bolt they used may be too long and bottoming out, before tight.

 

[imported_amccall]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

That's interesting. I've got an 82 35hp (same powerhead as yours) with a very similar problem. The crankcase was chipped where that starter bolt goes into the crankcase, and the previous owner drilled it out and re-tapped it. The bolt wasn't holding, so I used a heli-coil thread insert and put a small amount of jb weld on it to seal it up good. It holds fine for now, but I'd like to fix it right one of these days.

I just don't look forward to splitting the crankcase to take it in and get it welded up and re-drilled.

On yours, if the starter bracket is seating against the jb weld (not leaving you enough room to further tighten the bolt), you may have to remove the starter and mounting bracket and file some of the jb weld away.

Do the other mounting bolts for the starter bracket match up to the holes in the crankcase?

 

[BF]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

I had this problem with my 25 hp... bracket broke away from block, previous owner had it "repaired" in 1/2 a$$ed way prior to selling it... but it was leaning away and bendix didn't engage. He took it back to the shop that did the work and had it re-done before I took possession. It lasted about 3 weekends of use before their brittle weld job broke off. I drilled out what was left and installed inserts. That was better, lasted almost a season before it broke off (their brittle weld finally let go completely). I took it to a shop where I know the machinist is really good. He didn't want to re-weld on the same spot, so he did a really snazzy job of making up custom aluminum brackets and using other mounting points on the block. It became a challenge for him and he was too stuborn to give up. I ended up paying $200 + coffee and donuts for it (which I thought was fair). He was too embarrased to tell me how many hours were actually spent on it (some multiple of what I got billed for). No question if I had to pay the actual shop rates for his time, it would've been more than I would've been willing to spend for an old motor (early 70's). It's had ~1 1/2 seasons of use on it since, and the starter mount is still rock solid.

 

[loustults]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

Finally got back lake to take closer look...seems it's missing a mounting bolt...Any ideas on thread size?

Model # is J28ESLCC(_) (Can't read last letter)

 

[loustults]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

Oops:

 

[BF]

Re: 28hp Johnson: starter has backed away from block.

Hi,

I don't recall the bolt size/thread pitch, but I do think all the main mounting bolts to the block were the same except for being different lengths. That was the exact spot where the first poor repair job was done on mine.

Have you looked carefully around the pan for the missing bolt? I don't think there's an opening large enough for it to fall out. I bet it's hiding under the carb or somewhere else in there.

When I drilled mine out to put an insert in, I found out the front of the pan got in the way of getting a drill in nice and square to the hole. That's probably why the first shop's drill and tap job wasn't great and the bolt wasn't wanting to hold tight. When I drilled, I used an old (wrecked) cordless drill I had lying around. I took the drive motor and chuck out of the body of the drill and just used that (jumpered to a battery) to drill the hole. (it was short enough to fit in). Hopefully being a different year, yours might have better access.

Good luck.