Help with a 1958 - 35 Johnson Outboard

[Glenn Graham]

Hi, I have a '58 35 Johnson that runs like a new motor. However, a bolt came lose from the speed shift contol linkage and I believe it has fallen into the extension just above the lower unit. Can it be retrieved with a telescopic magnet? Also, can it fall right into the lower unit?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Glenn Graham
ggraham50@rogers.com

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Help with a 1958 - 35 Johnson Outboard

If you're talking about the bolt that holds the shift rod linkage together at the connector behind the oval plate on one side of the leg, yes you can sometimes retrieve it with a magnetic rod...if the bolt is factory original. It's easier to remove the lower unit/foot, just like when you service the water pump/impeller and turn the foot so the bolt rolls out. It cannot find its way into the gear case, it's just laying down there wherever it landed. If it came loose/out on it's own, you need to pull the lower unit/foot anyway to inspect the shift rod connector...the threads on the connector that the bolt screws into may be stripped, which is why the bolt worked loose and dropped out of the connector. You can sometimes clean and re-tap the threads in the connector with a tap/die set and install another bolt that will grip and hold. If that doesn't work, it's time to replace the shift rod connector...not a hard job at all. A service manual for your motor will tell you how to properly drop the lower unit/foot so you can service everything in there.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Help with a 1958 - 35 Johnson Outboard

Can you remove the screws that hold the outer cover on the midsection, to expose the dropped bolt. I would recommend an impact driver be used to remove the screws.

 

[Intermediate Mariner]

Re: Help with a 1958 - 35 Johnson Outboard

The entire brass coupler can also fall off sometimes but it's rare since the shift rods have an indention at both ends. I have an extra if you need one. I am in Wichita, KS and working on the boat today.

I would first pull the little side plate to see if the whole thing has fallen off or just the bottom nut. And then just go ahead and pull the lower unit, it's always a good time to replace impeller AND clean out water pump (mine was packed with calcium and the plate above the water pump was bent).

Shawn T

 

[Glenn Graham]

Re: Help with a 1958 - 35 Johnson Outboard

Thanks, I will try the magnet trick first. Yes, the bolt must have lossen off as I noticed the problem when shifting from neutral to forwar. Normally you can only shift at a low speed but with the bolt gone, it allows you to try and shift at high speeds. I have ordered a new bolt as it has a special collar on it. As I could not locate the old one, I am assuming it has fallen into the extension housing.

Again, thanks for the info.

Glenn