1955 Bigtwin Electric, lower unit

[autogun]

I recently picked up a '55 Bigtwin Electric 25. I got the starter going & I have ordered coils & impeller, and changed the fuel hoses. The gear case was empty, hopefully from being drained prior to storage, It obviously has been stored a very long time. I have flushed it with diesel fuel several times, and it still comes out almost 'black'. Although it seems to function properly, at least when rolling over, I'm getting the feeling that I should 'crack' the case for inspection. Is this nessiscarily true? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 1955 Bigtwin Electric, lower unit

This is just MY opinion:
If this were a motor that I was planning on using regularly, I'd disassemble the lower unit, replace all seals, clean it all up, and inspect the clutch dog which will almost surely need replacing (about 60 bucks). If the clutch dog is borderline, I'd go ahead and replace it because slipping will eat away at the gear ears and then you'll have to replace the whole set.
Those old seals are likely leaking, anyway. If it's black stuff, that's actually not a bad sign in my opinion. It is usually due to old worn out oil and not because of water intrusion which will rust the gears and shaft.
I'm working on my '56 RD now, and am replacing all seals and putting in a new clutch dog. I plan on using it a long time.
Later,
JBj

 

[autogun]

Re: 1955 Bigtwin Electric, lower unit

Thanks for the advice...somewhere I may have the lower unit parts from my old
RD-15, that was disassembled back in the 70's, (for whatever reason...???) Probably nothing wrong with it. Do you think those parts would be compatable? thanks