1973 9.5 Johnson

[tmosgood]

Just picked up a 1973 9.5 (9RL73B) for $50. Owner states it’s been sitting for at least 20 years but here’s what I’ve noticed:
The good: Engine is not seized and does turn over. No major parts are missing and is relatively clean. I’ll need to check compression and spark but the plugs looked good.
The bad: Initial look over reveals some surface rust on the block and plugs. A closer inspection (see picture) reveals that the upper housing of the engine is not flush and you can see daylight. Is this fixable with simply re-aligning and tightening? Perhaps this explains the rust because water would be coming in? Also, the shifter is engaged in forward and I cannot move it into neutral or reverse but the throttle engages fully. Am I looking at a shifting rod issue?

Thanks everyone, excited to get my hands dirty.

 

[racerone]

Pop the flywheel off.-----Use the 3 threaded holes in the flywheel for a puller.----They are 1/4-20 NC thread.----Do not put screws in too far.-----Coils might be cracked.-----Install new water pump impeller before launching the boat.----Is the flywheel nut loose or is that the wrong nut ?----Turn throttle to full slow / idle and see it will shift.-----Do not worry about gap in cowling.

 

[tmosgood]

Thanks for this - what gives you impression coils are junk? Also, tried to turn throttle from full to slow/idle and still couldn’t get it to shift. Glad the gap in the cowling isn’t troublesome.

 

[tmosgood]

Nut was just loose - just brushed off rust and reinstalled.

 

[Crosbyman]

Leeroy's Ramblngs is coming soon

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www.leeroysramblings.com

Leeroy's Ramblngs is coming soon

We are doing some maintenance on our site. Please come back later.

www.leeroysramblings.com

starter gear seems mangled ....may need replacement $$$ never jerk start
easy pull....engage the plastic gear... pull ....

 

[Crosbyman]

Thanks for this - what gives you impression coils are junk? Also, tried to turn throttle from full to slow/idle and still couldn’t get it to shift. Glad the gap in the cowling isn’t troublesome.

when you pul off the FW you will have the answer... polish the points and if you can't test the condensers with a high voltage tester...change them. tuck wires away from moving parts

check gear case oil for water intrusion if water is present you should presurre test at 10-15PSI for 10 minutes..... spray soapy water look for bubbles around shafts (3) while servicing the impeller

change oil plug washers top and bottom, refill & recheck after a few hours.... if water still present reseal the GC ...see utubes

fix the shifting issue. could be all jammed up in the GC who knows.
shift lock prevents shifthing above start


See Leroy's .. carb must be 100% clean. check fuel pump screen

LS idle is adjusted with side knob

 

[racerone]

If the coils are original they will be cracked.----All of this vintage Johnson / Evinrude have had coils replaced if they were regular runners.-----Only one way to find out and that means removing flywheel !

 

[Crosbyman]

Usual surprise under most of these oldies change coils plug wires and boots while at it.

 

[tmosgood]

So essentially, better to do a total rehab on coils, lower unit, fuel system, water pump, etc before even starting? This is gonna take some time…but looking forward to learning.

 

[tmosgood]

Thanks for this

 

[Crosbyman]

Thanks for this

Compression is fequently low 65-75psi but they run good as fisherman's engine. Do measure it before doing big expenses.

 

[tmosgood]

Yea, had same exact one as a kid in the 90s, lots of nostalgia running up and down a river in a small 14ft boat. Trying to rehab this one to give my kids the same experience…more so selfishly for me!

 

[ct1762@gmail.com]

i ditch the points and condenser and go for simple ignition modules. starts 2x better and idles like a sewing machine. points can never beat darlington transistors

 

[Crosbyman]

sound great... how about providing diagrams to hook them up or ready made products to install.