1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

boobie

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

Disconnect the linkage from the throttle to the mag plate and see what happens. Prob could be in the mag plate or the throttle handle.
 

1946Zephyr

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
5,556
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

You'll likely need to disassemble the mechanisms in the tiller assembly and relube everything. Often times corrosion gets under the bushings and makes them squeeze hard on the shafts, making things hard to turn. Your shifter is probably pretty stiff too, right?
 

kbait

Commander
Joined
Nov 13, 2007
Messages
2,480
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

There's a steering tension adjustment screw just above where the boat transom is, center of transom bracket between the clamps. If it's on the boat, you'll have to bend down to see in to where it is. Standard slotted screw. Loosen it up and it should be better.
 

1946Zephyr

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
5,556
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

I think he's refering to the throttle, not the steering, kbait. :)
 

masintenn

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 17, 2011
Messages
32
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

Is the motor running when it's hard to turn? I haven't had my recently purchased 62 Johnson out yet, but I've noticed that it's very hard to turn as well and I just replaced the bracket and cleaned and greased every bushing.
 

AlTn

Commander
Joined
Mar 9, 2010
Messages
2,813
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

I recently was trying to determine why the throttle wouldn't advance the armature plate more than 2/3 and then would bind. Just as Boobie stated, I took that joint apart where the horizontal throttle shaft connects to the vertical shaft. The slotted knuckle? was halfway sheared and was binding. I replaced it..5 bux or so...all was well <other than the slop in the joint>. By taking it apart, you can determine if it's the throttle shaft or the armature plate that's "difficult"..
 

1946Zephyr

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 21, 2008
Messages
5,556
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

In the tiller handle, where the shafts go through, corrosion will often times build up in there, causing the plastic bushings to swell hard on the shafts. What you need to do, is remove the bushings and scrape out the corrosion. Once you put it all back together, you'll notice a heck of a difference. Back where the gear is, that actuates the throttle lever, that area likes to swell shut too. There, you'll need to pop the plastice piece out and scrape clean all the corrosion build up. Like boobie stated, you can disconnect the mag plate linkage and narrow it down to where the stiffness is.
 

razor49

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
29
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

It is setting in the garage. It doesn't matter if it is running or not. It has been like this for awhile. I appreciate all of the comments. I am going run with the tips I have been given and see if I can get it to turn easier.

Thanks for taking the time to help me.
 

razor49

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
29
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

Thanks for the tips. The problem was inside the throttle / tiller handle area. There was a lot of gummed up grease inside the handle. Works much better after cleanning out the old grease. I can get it to work even better when I put a lighter spring in it. I don't think the lighter spring will have a negative effect on it. Thanks again for the replys.
 

razor49

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
29
Re: 1959 18 hp seahorse throttle is extremely hard to turn

I went to the hardware store and bought a lighter spring. I cut it down and put it in place of the original. It made a huge difference along with getting out the old grease. It is so much nicer now. thanks again for your help
 
Top