1961 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp won't turn over now

[Clippership821]

Well I got my boat in the water this weekend. Just did an impeller change. All went well. Started up immediately and purred like a kitten. Pump working... I checked to see if it would go in gear, forward and reverse... it did. So, I thought I would take her for a spin. Backed out about twenty yards....went to put it in gear and she died on me. Now it doesn't turn over at all and notice it's not going into forward now. shifter goes in to neutral position and reverse. But, it's being stopped from going into forward. In neutral position. I turn the propeller and it feels like it's in gear....any suggestions ...Ideas...thanks. Hope everyone had a great Labor Day!!!

 

[F_R]

Re: 1961 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp won't turn over now

Recheck your work where you connected the shift rod behind the two inspection plates. Also, check your controls settings. The throttle has to be in slow position before you can shift or start.

 

[Clippership821]

Re: 1961 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp won't turn over now

Thanks F R I'll check that. I did not know that. It might have started up again on the lake if I'd known. Now that you mention it. I did have the throttle up when I tried.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1961 Johnson Sea Horse 75hp won't turn over now

Clipper, Those motors had a safety switch on the distributor body. When the motor was in gear, the cam on the shift linkage moved off the switches arm and interrupted the starter circuit.