1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

[anaconda44]

I have a 69 Johnson 85hp. The motor starts and runs great, but wont move. The motor throttles up when the lever is moved, but no power to the prop. When not running the prop freewheels counter-clockwise, but not clockwise. I changed out the lower end oil (refilled with type C) with the same result.

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Problem is the prop shouldn't turn at all...other than maybe a 1/8 turn either way until the dog and gear lobes meet. Your enigne defaults to forward hear with the engine not running. What happens when you turn the flywheel or have you tried that yet? Pull the spark plugs to make it easier. Let us know what you find.

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

OK, pulled the plugs and rope pulled it a few times. Prop twitched a few times. Pulled it with my foot on prop. felt like gears grinding. It spins easily clockwise. can be muscled with slipping/grinding counter clockwise.

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Somehow I managed to post this twice

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

I think now it may be a 1970. Model# is 85ESL70B

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Yeah....70'. Drain the lube and look for pieces of metal. If it were me, I'd drop the lower unit and spin the driveshaft by hand. If it still does the same thing.....ya' may have something busted in there.

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Drained and refilled lower, no metal. Whats involved in dropping the lower other than the 4 bolts? A friend suggested a clutch dog, is that in the lower?

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

BTW: this motor did not default to forward. After being run about 10 min, it acted like it was slipping in/out of gear. I shut it down immediately, and had no drive either direction upon restart. Towed in.

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

If the gearcase won't default to forward, you have an internal problem. It will have to come apart to determine why.

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

There are four bolts installed upwards, then what to remove lower unit?

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

or maybe thats jumping ahead, drain the lower.....

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Take off the trim tab and there's a bolt under there and just forward of the trim tab is another bolt...5/8 head. Disconnect the wire harness to the lower unit at the engine pan and tie a strong piece of string to it. Drop the lower unit. The string will help you get the wire harness back up through during reassembly.

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Do you happen to know the oil capacity of the lower?<br /><br />(i dont have a manual.....yet)

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

got it off and disassembled (mostly) If there is a pair of beveled gears like i am guessing, then they feel very stripped

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Source for new gears? All I can find on iBoats is 1978 and newer

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Search up TwinCity Outboard or ishopmarine. Just about any boating mag will advertise used parts dealers in the back. Might even consider a rebuilt unit.

 

[anaconda44]

Re: 1969 Johnson 85hp. No fwd/rev

Thanks everybody for all the help. I found a new used lower locally and had it professionally installed. Had a great time camping.<br /><br />East central WI boaters, I must give kudos to Mike at M&H Outboard and SternDrive in Sheboygan. Great service, little family company!!