1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

[HollywoodTuck]

I have a 62-3 Johnson 75 Model No. V4AL-14L<br /><br />Its attached to a 16' 57 Bellboy runabout. We recieved the boat from family and want to keep it the way it is.<br /><br />I did the search function on this site and figured out that it needs a lower seal kit. There is water getting into the lower unit oil.<br /><br />I replaced the oil (type C premium) and took it for a hot lap and it was milky again.<br /><br />On the way in to the dock it jumped into neutral and would only shift into reverse. It had done this before on full open throttle- It would jump into neutral. I would throttle down and it would shift in gear and ease it up again.<br /><br />The regulator wasnt chargeing but I fixed that- I though maybe it wasnt getting enough juice for the selenoids?<br /><br />I guess my questions lie in how do I narrow the problem down of no forward drive? I'm very mechanicly inclined and want to do as much as I can myself.<br /><br />where would I purchase the correct lower unit seal kit?<br /><br />I bought a manual for this unit today.<br /><br />I'm here to learn- and would really appreciate any input into getting this boat back on the lake.<br /><br />Tuck

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Disconnect the two wires leasding to the lower unit. Run two jumper wires from the battery back is the area of those two wires.<br /><br />Connect the negative battery jumper to ground, then one at a time, connect the positive jumper wire to the wires leading to the lower unit.<br /><br />When connected to one wire or the other, the propeller should grab in one direction, then the opposite direction on the other wire.<br /><br />Let us know what you find on that test.

 

[HollywoodTuck]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Joe- thanks! im on it---<br /><br />Tuck

 

[HollywoodTuck]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Joe,<br />with the jumpers...<br /><br />touching the positive on the first lead wire produces counter clockwise spin on the prop.<br /><br />touching the other lead wire produces no spin...<br /><br />Tuck

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

With a ohm meter, check the resistance of the shift coils.... one meter lead to ground, the other to the wires leading to the lower unit, one at a time of course.<br /><br />I'f memory serves me correctly, the ohm reading should be about 8 ohms, but whatever it is, the readings should be the same on both wires.<br /><br />If the readings are the same (or extremely close), the shift wire and the magnetic coils are okay..... the problem would be a bad shifter spring (probably broken) and faulty worn hub.<br /><br />If the readings vary greatly or does not exist on one wire, then either the shifter wire is broken or that particular coil has failed (or both).<br /><br />What did you find on this test?

 

[HollywoodTuck]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Joe-<br /><br />The ohm reading was 7.38 for both wires.<br /><br />Tuck

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Check the wire's routed on the engine block going to the shift coils to see if they are strung to tight. If they are, when the engine is in forward gear under power, it will shift in the rubber mount's which are probably soft anyway on an engine this age. When the engine shifts position, it could be pulling the shift wire out of contact. I have run into this before. Hot wire the forward coil, and see if the engine will stay in gear under power.

 

[ddaigle]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Dont know if this is relevant, but he says he has water in the oil and my hydroelectric wont shift when it gets water in it. I know its a different system but still has electric coils or solenoids. My seals were bad and with new oil it would shift until it reached a certain water concentration, then quit. New seals solved the problem.

 

[HollywoodTuck]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Joe- <br /><br />If its a bad shifter spring or worn hub can you still buy any of these parts or locate them? just curious.<br /><br />I'm guessing the next step would be a teardown and inspection of the lower unit?<br /><br />R-Johnson, I think I may have eliminated that question with joe's hotwire test and ohm test right? I ran a wire direct to each coil and it only spun in reverse, not forward. Checking the wires with the ohm tester shows the same amount of resistance almost 8ohm's showing both wires and mag coils are OK-<br /><br />I want to fix the oil/water problem but if there are other issues I wanted to narrow them down and fix it all at once.<br /><br />Thanks alot for the great responses!<br />this website is amazeing.<br /><br />Tuck

 

[HollywoodTuck]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

UPDATE-<br /><br />I bought a spare engine... the same model number year etc. with a lower unit that shifts forward and reverse... I followed the same testing proceedure you gave me Joe... it checks out fine.<br /><br />I paid $60 for the complete motor and figured It was worth the money in spare parts... so hopefully it will pay off.<br /><br />I followed the manuals directions and removed the lower unit off the used motor. <br /><br />I want to replace the seals and properly pressure test the lower unit-<br /><br /><br />I have alot of dumb questions-<br /><br />Can you buy a new water pump? or do you rebuild them yourself? Is this something I should even worry about? <br /><br />just to be sure, I have no idea if this pump works or not... and the only thing that seems to be good is the motor at this point... I dont want to burn it up.<br /><br />Is there a place I can order the seal kit from? I'm totally new to this-<br /><br />for not knowing me- you guys have been a great resource! I've learned alot already-<br /><br />I'm actually a moderator on a traditional hot rod forum called the H.A.M.B. on jalopyjournal.com - I learned how to build my first "real" hot rod on that website... <br /><br />Without your help I'm sure I would turn away from tackleing this.<br /><br />In some ways the internet has saved knowlege from slipping through the cracks... and it gets passed on to the next generation... its awesome.<br />Thanks again for all the help!<br /><br />Tuck

 

[BillP]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

If the 1962 is like a 1965 your shifting problem may be at the wiring connectors. My 65 elec shift would shift in forward somtimes and sometimes not. I traced it to the "knife" like connectors where the lower unit wires connect to the powerhead wires. One wire was frayed and not making good contact. The rubber covering was also cracked away. I repaired the connection and coated everything heavily with high temp silicone. Worked perfectly after that.<br /><br />About the water in your lower unit. If replacing the lower seals didn't stop it the problem is likely at the seal under the water pump. The drive shaft on my engine was corroded where that seal surface was and kept eating seals. The shaft is chromed where the seal rides and the chrome gets pitted. I couldn't find a used driveshaft that didn't have this problem. The solution was taking the shaft to a machine shop and have them polish it smooth. Not as good as chrome but it never leaked for the next couple yrs I owned the motor. <br /><br />Also, water in my lower unit made no difference in the gears shifting. Until the driveshaft was finally repaired I had to drain water and refil after every outing. It let maybe 1oz of water in a day of running. No shifting issues after the wire was replaced though.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

That's a good buy. The shift spring alone would greatly exceed that figure.<br /><br />The complete water pump kit is still available and is OMC/Bombardier part number 379776. It would be available from your local dealership, but check with NAPA first.

 

[HollywoodTuck]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

UPDATE...<br /><br />ok- I went up to the local marina- and the guy remembered me from when I a kid-<br /><br />I just moved back to my home town- been gone for like 10 years... <br /><br />anyways- he has another 75 the same year that they're going to give us... complete.<br /><br />So spare parts galore.<br /><br /><br />I pulled the lower unit off the original motor and theres oil all over in the extension and around the water pump. I'm guessing one of the top seals blew out- the water pump seal maybe?<br /><br />I'm going to put the other lower unit on-<br /><br />Ill keep you guys posted on the results.<br />-<br />Tuck

 

[HollywoodTuck]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

UPDATE again-<br /><br />Put the new lower unit on and we took it out for R&D yesterday and everything works PERFECT.<br /><br />Thanks for all the help-<br /><br />Tuck<br /><br />

<br />

 

[fireman57]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Sweet!

 

[akakool]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

Type C Lower Unit Oil for Electric Shift:<br />(or use OMC Premium Blend)<br /><br />Lubrimatic Premium Type C<br /><br /> http://shop.boatersworld.com/product/303848.htm <br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/products/7/2371_lubrimatic_reg_type_c_gear_lube.html <br /><br /> http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com/st...urer~LUBRIMATIC~model~PREMIUM+TYPE+C+LUBE.htm

 

[itstippy]

Re: 1962 Johnson 75HP Electric shift acting up

If that marina guy has any 40HP Selectric/Electramatics laying around gathering dust tell him his longlost best friend Itstippy would love to see him again!