1959 Johnson 5.5 HP Gas and shifter problem

[iflycy]

I have 2 problems with the motor.<br />1. I just rebuilt the carb and it purrs like a kitten. The problem is it is not drawing gas. I have to pump the pressure button on the tank to keep it running. The air filter? or what normally goes on the intake side of the carb is missing. where can I get the missing parts?<br />2. It will not stay in gear at any speed. I haven't checked on condition of the gears but I suspect I will have to replace the worn parts. Is there any kind of adjustment?

 

[ShafferNY]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 HP Gas and shifter problem

My guess is that you have an air leak somewhere between the motor and the tank. Is it pressurizing?<br /><br />As for the shifting problem. Let me guess, if you hold it in gear it moves, but when you release the shift lever it pops out of gear. <br /><br />If so you'll have to take apart the lower unit. You don't have to drop it though. <br /><br />Take the screws out of the skag/cap, I think there are 8 and 1 phillips head screw in the side(thats what you shift linkage pivots on). Then the cap should come right off. Be careful the shaft and gears may want to fall out, so take the cap off slowly. <br /><br />Then you'll see to big gears on the output shaft/prop shaft, in between these gears there is a dawg. That's most likely you problem, it get worn out and rounded off. You'll have to get a new one.

 

[iflycy]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 HP Gas and shifter problem

Good guess Schaffer, When I hold the shifter it runs fine. Also, the connector at the engine end is a little loose. That's probably where the leak is.<br />Is the dog that holds it in gear accesible or do I have to tear it all apart?<br />I will be headed towards your neck of the woods next weekend. My sons live in Glens Falls / Lake George. Hope to wet a line while I'm up there. Probably in the Schroon R. As my screen name indicates , I'm a flyfisher. Thanks for the info ... Pete

 

[ShafferNY]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 HP Gas and shifter problem

Unfortunatlly, you do have to tear it all apart to change it, but you only have to remove the skag/cover to look at it. Once the cover is off the output shaft/prop shaft will literally fall right out, then it's just a matter of sliding the old parts off and sliding the new ones on. It's really not that complicated in there. <br /> <br />Sometimes the gears will get worn too, but most of the time you just have to replace the dawg that slides back and forth between the forward and reverse gears.<br /><br />You may even be able to find used parts at a local marina, I have in the past.

 

[iflycy]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 HP Gas and shifter problem

There's a shop in Weedsport that deals with old parts and the guy knows what he has. He doesn't let anything go cheap or even reasonable. I have a few friends that are toolmakers that probably could metalize and rework the old dawg. I specialized in gears in machinists school but don't have the machinery to do the work. <br />I have an old 40 HP West Bend (1959)and went to the used guy for a cast part and he wanted more then the engine was worth for the part.

 

[ShafferNY]

Re: 1959 Johnson 5.5 HP Gas and shifter problem

I hear ya, I hate people like that. I went to our local junkyard to get parts for my '78 Chevy and the guy wouldn't part with anything. He had at least a half a dozen trucks. He said he was keeping them for his truck.