Gear oil / Lube oil.

[1962MFG/Johnson40hp]

Hi,<br />I'm not only new to this forum, but to all forums, and boating so any help is appreciated.<br />I've just purchased a 1962 MFG with a 40hp Johnson RDSL-23.<br />So i thought i'd drain the gear oil. The guy i bought it from pointed out the vent plug and the "drain" plug. So i removed them both.<br />Sure enough the lube/oil was milky. However the "drain" plug it was not! It was the one on the right viewed from the back of the boat. the plug had a nose on it and when i removed it something inside the lower unit moved.<br />after four hours of messing about i managed to get the plug back in.<br />QUESTION: What is this plug and is it possible to get it back in but in the wrong position?<br />After locating the proper drain. i squirted a tube of valvoline marine gear oil into it but none came out of the vent hole. so i need some more.<br />QUESTION: Is gear oil the same as gear lube?<br />QUESTION: If i can't get more valvoline should i drain and re-do with gear lube?<br />Thanks.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Gear oil / Lube oil.

That "plug" is the pivot for the shift arm inside the lower unit. This is a bent sheet metal piece with a hole in it. With careful manipulation of the shift handle you may be able to locate the hole and get the pivot back in. It helps to chamfer the end of the pivot screw a little bit to help install. If all is well, the outboard will shift into forward and reverse properly (with a little hand turning of the propeller).<br />Sometimes this task is impossible though since occasionally the yolk (a piece held in by the shift arm) comes out of place. If that happens, you'll have to take apart the lower unit and reseal it. <br /><br />Auto gear oil is different from outboard stuff as the outboard stuff contains corrosion inhibitors and emulsufires to keep water in suspension if it intrudes into the gearcase.<br /><br />Get more outboard gearcase lube. Your case takes 13.9oz if I remember right.<br /><br />Replace your vent & fill plug gaskets. They're the most common source of water infiltration problems. If you're still getting water in your oil, you'll have to reseal the gearcase.<br /><br />If you haven't already, consider investing in one of those cheap $10 lube pumps that fit right on an oil bottle. They're far less messy than the squeeze tubes.

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Gear oil / Lube oil.

Welcome to iboats 1962MFG/Johnson40hp!<br /><br />The pin you removed is a pivot pin for the gears. They can be a pain to reinstall if removed in error. When the pin is properly installed, you can shift gears normally. Some have used a strong light and an ice pick to align the pivot to the hole, the pin can then be inserted and tightened. You'l probably need more gear lube, when you see lube exit the top vent hole replace the vent screw before you remove the bottle from the lower fill hole. This creates a slight vacuum that keeps the fluid in the gearcase until you can replace the lower drain screw. If you loose a bit of lube, it's no big deal. The main thing is to fill from the bottom screw to purge air from the gearcase. Marine gear oil,gear lube all the same. Unless it's an electric shift gearcase, then Type C lube has to be used. Since the old lube was milky, you have a leak in the gearcase. Lower unit seal kits should be available to reseal the case. Often, the leak is the result of leaking drain and vent screw washers. It's best to replace them and retest on the water. Drain and see if you still get a milkshake. BTW,a small pump with short hose and fitting that screws into the top of the gear lube bottle and gearcase drain hole makes the job easy to fill the gearcase.<br /><br />I gotta learn to type faster...!!

 

[1962MFG/Johnson40hp]

Re: Gear oil / Lube oil.

thanks for the info.<br /><br />is it ok to start the engine to find out if the pivot pin is in correct position?<br />how do i know if its is "an electric shift gearcase"?

 

[Xcusme]

Re: Gear oil / Lube oil.

Nope, I wouldn't start the motor. Remove the cover and turn the flywheel by hand clockwise while putting slight pressure on the gearshift handle or turning the prop. You should feel it drop into gear if all is well.

 

[1962MFG/Johnson40hp]

Re: Gear oil / Lube oil.

thanks again, a quick concise answer tha i can understand .......... This is GREAT!

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Gear oil / Lube oil.

It's not electric shift if you've got a pivot pin to accidentally remove. <br /><br />Xcusme: A second perspective is always good. Even if we're saying the same thing, I think it's more clear to the reader that way.