1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

[Mister Dave]

The lower unit is leaking on my old 35 hp Johnson (1957). Where in tarnation do I start with fixing this on my own?

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Ahhhhhh yes. A '57 Johnson. One of my favorite specialties. Well, if you're getting water in the lower unit, the first and most inexpensive step to take, is to change the oil out and replace the gaskets on both of the plugs. Whatever you do, do not remove the phillips screw that is midway on the lower half of the gearcase, or any phillips screw as of yet. While you're at it, remove the prop and make sure there is no fishing line around the prop shaft.

BTW, have you ever heard of "re-intarnation?" It's coming back to life as a redneck.

Keep us posted on your progress. If you need further assistance, we'll be glad to help.

 

[Mister Dave]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

I've never had this motor in the water but when I filled the lower unit with oil I found it was leaking out where the prop shaft seal is. Should I replace all the seals in the lower unit or just the prop shaft seal? Also, Where would I get the seals for the plugs? Any help is appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

The toughest seal in your gearbox is the drive shaft seal. It can be hard to get out, so if its not leaking, it might be just as well to leave it alone. If you are sure that the propshaft seal is leaking, start by replacing that. If you are not sure, take the advice in reagrd to the vent and drain plug gaskets and run the motor briefly. Check the gear lube afterwards, to see if there is any sign of water intrusion.



???

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Get a complete seal kit - they're available at any Johnnyrude dealer, on Ebay or probably here in Iboats. It will have the seals for the drain and vent screws and the prop shaft seal. It will also have a shift rod seal, a driveshaft seal and a seal for that (dreaded) phillips screw which is actually a pivot for the shifter. You'll need to drop the lower unit and open up the gearcase to replace the propshaft seal. You'll need to remove the skeg, so you can get to the gears where the propshaft seal is. Kit will also have a spaghetti seal for the skeg. This requires removing that phillips screw/pivot. The old propshaft seal must be driven out of the bushing that holds it. There may be two small holes in the bushing at 180 degrees from each other which you can insert a small punch in to drive the seal out. I usually alternate tapping with the punch from hole to hole until the seal pops out. The old seal will be destroyed when you remove it. Just be careful not to burr the bushing when driving the seal out. There is also a large o-ring which is included in the kit, which seals around the edge of the bushing, so replace that also. If you want to replace the driveshaft seal, it is under the water pump housing. You'll need a seal puller for that one. While in there, might as well replace the water pump impeller as well. The shift rod seal requires a special tool to drive out, so hopefully that one isn't leaking. Once you've replaced the seals you believe are leaking, you can pressure test the lower unit to see if it is still leaking. Pressure guages are available on Ebay for about $30. You should pump the L/U up to about 10psi and make sure it holds for at least 10 minutes. It really isn't as difficult as it sounds - the first one is always the hardest.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

If your prop seal is leaking, then it's a good chance you have fishing line in it, or it had it, in the past. If you do it carefully enough, you can replace the prop shaft seal without tearing the lower unit down. People who are good with a screw driver can do that, but a seal puller, borrowed from a friend would be the best alternative. You can obtain the gaskets for the plugs and the prop seal at your local marine dealor, otherwise, you can look here at iBoats.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Hmmmmmm yea, well looking into things with a few steps at a time was the best option, but since the prop shaft seal is leaking, may as well tear it all down and get everything done at the same time, so you won't have to mess with it again.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

i would replace all seals. not that hard to do. just need 2 special tools. the right size punch and a seal puller. both very cheap from harbor freight.

im 15 and i replaced the seals on my 1958 johnson 35hp. i havent checked if it worked but im just so confident in it

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Yea, I've done a few of these too and they aren't hard to do at all. It's good assurance and it's a long term fix

Hey coolguy, is that the johnson you mentioned in your earlier posts? It looks like a '59. I had one just like it once.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Yea, I've done a few of these too and they aren't hard to do at all. It's good assurance and it's a long term fix

Hey coolguy, is that the johnson you mentioned in your earlier posts? It looks like a '59. I had one just like it once.

you are partially right! the motor is indeed a 1958 because the serial number on block and transom block match plus the model number said its 1958 too

but the hood is 1959. it came with it. must've been replaced sometime ago. old one bad etc. its works just as good! i like this hood better though so its all good

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Yea, those are great motors. The one I had, I put a 1968 40hp powerhead on it and it ran great. Good job on your projects. I kinda laughed at the boat you run into, when you got your old 10hp runnin' I hope everything went okay on that deal.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Yea, those are great motors. The one I had, I put a 1968 40hp powerhead on it and it ran great. Good job on your projects. I kinda laughed at the boat you run into, when you got your old 10hp runnin' I hope everything went okay on that deal.

ugh dont remind me! yes it all went well. the shift rod bolts were stripped and they let the rod slip out of the holder. so it wouldnt go into foward properly

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Replace all the seals. Your BRP (Johnson/Evinrude) dealer doesn't sell a kit. They only sell individual seals. Get a Sierra kit online. I use two special tools to do it. A claw type seal puller (be careful with this guy) and a 5/16" rod ground down to 1/4" on one end to knock out the shiftshaft seal.

 

[Mister Dave]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Wow, thanks for the help fella's. I'll get the parts and let you know how it all goes. I'm hoping to get this bad boy running before spring. Love this forum!!! So many people willing to help! Thanks!!!

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Oh yea, you will, a job like this can be done in a weekend. Good luck to you.
I also bought parts here too. http://www.vintageoutboard.com/:D

 

[samo_ott]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

I concur with Wayne. Do em all. It is not much extra work when you have it all apart and if you have problems, just post the question here. We've all done it.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Yea, I rebuilt a lower unit on an older 25 (which has the same lower unit as your old 35 here) and with a new impeller, I think I spent only 50 or 60 dollars. A small investment which would make that lower unit trouble free for many years. This will also give you a chance to check the condition of your gears and bearings too. If you find that you need a shift fork, I have a brand new one here I would let you have cheap.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

you are partially right! the motor is indeed a 1958 because the serial number on block and transom block match plus the model number said its 1958 too

but the hood is 1959. it came with it. must've been replaced sometime ago. old one bad etc. its works just as good! i like this hood better though so its all good

Yea, it looks like someone already converted it to a single fuel line system too. Nice boat. That's kind of what I want to get, to put my 25 on.

 

[swannytheswan]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Replace all the seals. Your BRP (Johnson/Evinrude) dealer doesn't sell a kit. They only sell individual seals. Get a Sierra kit online. I use two special tools to do it. A claw type seal puller (be careful with this guy) and a 5/16" rod ground down to 1/4" on one end to knock out the shiftshaft seal.

sorry about draggin up an old thread but I am changing seals in my 1960 40hp johnson and I am wondering why it has to be a 5/16" rod ground down to .250 could I just get a .250 rod and use that

 

[coolguy147]

Re: 1957 Johnson 35 HP Lower Unit

Yea, it looks like someone already converted it to a single fuel line system too. Nice boat. That's kind of what I want to get, to put my 25 on.

it was the later 35hp soo i think it came with a fuel pump. yeah i took that thing off a while ago now i have a very i mean very troublesome 50hp mercury....but it's faster and it seems to use a lot less gas or i go further on gas