1960 Johnson 18hp-FD-14 gear slippage

[fidgitty1]

Hope you can help, Had this motor on the water for the first time and the thing started o.k. and sounded great then I put it into forward gear and it didn't take long for it to slip out. Every time I would idle up, it would slip, it actually would slip into neutral. I'm thinking the problem must be a gear stripped or something. I have opened the lower unit to find that everything looks good, no terrible damage, clutch dog is o.k.(I think), I have read in this forum about a pin that goes into the front bearing (like the one for the rear), but there is no pin there, but remnants of one, could this be the problem?? If not what else could it be?? <br /><br />All help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1960 Johnson 18hp-FD-14 gear slippage

Welcome to Iboats, fidgitty1!<br />When you reved up, did the gearshift actually move, or did it feel like you hit a log, or did it just feel like a slipping clutch on a car?<br />If it was the latter, most likely you're looking at a spun propeller hub. Between the part of the propeller with the blades on it and the part that the shear pin drives (the hub), there is a rubber cushion. Over time and bottom strikes the cushion can be damaged causing the prop to 'slip' when you put a load on it. It's easy enough to check - simply mark the part of the prop that the shear pin goes throug against the part that the blades are attached to with an indelible marker. Take the boat out for a spin (as such ) and then check the mark again. If it no longer lines up then it's definitely a spun prop.<br />The propeller can usually be rehubbed by a prop shop for less cost than a new one, but if yours is beat up you might want to consider a new one anyway.<br />Hope this helps!

 

[fidgitty1]

Re: 1960 Johnson 18hp-FD-14 gear slippage

The gear shift actually moved, as long as I held it in gear, it would stay, but without pressure it would slip back out. I actually could hold it and rev up the motor but it would "jump," like it was slipping out of gear.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1960 Johnson 18hp-FD-14 gear slippage

Is the spring present at the top of the gearshift lockout arm? It puts tension on the shift lever.<br /><br />Otherwise, you're either not fully engaging forward gear (adjustable at the handle using the elongated slots in the handle base) or you've got a worn clutch dog/gears. Not much else it can be...<br /><br />- Scott

 

[fidgitty1]

Re: 1960 Johnson 18hp-FD-14 gear slippage

Thanks, <br />I'll check that. Could the pins in the gear case (bearing retainers)cause this if the forward retainer pin was gone???