1970 Johnson 6hp Problems

[Sparkytech]

I have a 1970 Johnson 2 stroke 6hp with a few problems...
Problem #1: The shift lever sometimes seems disengaged, and the lever freely moves way past the normal forward / reverse positions. After moving it back and forth multiple times, it will finally engage in gear. I am not sure what the linkage looks like, but it seems to me like it would either work or not work at all, not work intermittently.
Problem #2: the tiller handle rotates all the way to “Fast”, but won’t rotate all the way to “Stop”, only somewhere between “Slow” and “Shift”, even though it will stop the motor. I’ve read that the markings aren’t always correctly lined up, but this seems like it’s limited rotation, and the gears are meshed correctly.
Any ideas?

 

[racerone]

Familiar with removing the lower unit on this wonderful motor ?---Drained / inspected oil in lower unit ?----Possible issues with shift rod connecter.---Or linkage under the power head.

 

[F_R]

Think of the twist grip markings as "Fast is this way and slow/stop is that way". Then forget it.

As for the shift, something is broken or came apart. Neither is a notoriously common problem, and we could sit here all day and guess. But the truth is only an on-site inspection will locate the problem.

 

[Sparkytech]

Thanks for the twist grip advice. My slight OCD wants to fine tune everything! I need to remember, it’s a 50 year old motor that still runs great. As far as the shift linkage... a full disassembly found the linkage disconnected and signs of water in the gear lube. Now that I know how the linkage connects, it makes sense how it could be intermittent. The lower bolt on the linkage must have been loose enough, or a previous owner tried to force it to shift while stopped, and the shift rod pulled out. Easy fix!

 

[Crosbyman]

thanks for your feedback....

lot of folks don't come back to tell what they found :-(

 

[oldboat1]

If you are talking about the brass connector and the two piece shift rod, do yourself a favor and open up the connector holes slightly with a bladed screwdriver. Then make sure that the machined ends of the upper and lower shift rods are fully into the connector before the screws/bolts are inserted, locking the rods in place.

Pressure check the drained lower unit to determine if and where there is a leak (foot removed, use a five or six lb pressure source, and a spray bottle with soap mix to isolate leaks.

 

[racerone]

Gearcase needs a seal kit.