1962 Johnson 40hp RDSL-24L Clunking while running

Bobobob

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Aug 1, 2006
Messages
87
I have the motor stated above and while running down the lake it does a clunking, the engine runs strong but it seems as though maybe the gears are slipping? any ideas? any common solutions to this issue?

Any help would be great, I do have a Seloc manual and will be working on it myself.

Thanks in advance.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
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Jul 7, 2006
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28,226
Re: 1962 Johnson 40hp RDSL-24L Clunking while running

It's the shift clutch dog and forward gear in the lower unit. It is coming out of gear, rotating 180 degrees and slamming back into gear. The more it does it, the worse it gets...very quickly! Very common problem. Gears are costing a fortune nowadays, unless you can find good used ones. But don't buy worn out used ones.
 

samo_ott

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jun 18, 2006
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5,125
Re: 1962 Johnson 40hp RDSL-24L Clunking while running

FR, is that one of the years where you can reverse the gears in the LU?
 

Bobobob

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Re: 1962 Johnson 40hp RDSL-24L Clunking while running

Thanks, I have a 1963 28hp Johnson I'm using for parts, I'll check the gear in that one and see how it looks. I believe they are completely the same except for the engine size.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
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Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: 1962 Johnson 40hp RDSL-24L Clunking while running

Samo, I sort of think so by changing the bushings. Would have to verify that though.
 

Bobobob

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Messages
87
Re: 1962 Johnson 40hp RDSL-24L Clunking while running

Does anyone know where I would be able to find new gears and clutch dog for this Motor? I may have a spare set in my 28hp parts motor but I would like the comfort of knowing I have some new reliable gears in there. Also does anyone know how long an outboard will run for? this one is 45 years old and it's seen a new set of coils and plug wires and now needs these gears but as for the rest of it it's all stock.
 
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