1975 25HP JOHNSON-Slipping out of Forward

[gacriboat]

I read the previous post related to this issue. Just wanted to run a few things by guys with experience in these engines. Long story short...I inherited my current boat from my grandfather.. It's a 16ft 1968 Mirrorcraft with a side console and a 1975 Johnson(25) HP. I took the motor to a local guy who specializes in older outboards, paid $253.00 for him to change the fluids in the lower unit, and replace the water pump with a used one. Took the boat out one time and it ran pretty good...little stuburn with at idle. The second time out I noticed the gear slipping out of forward when under power. I did waht the previous post stated and removed the cable control and manually place it in forward and put the motor under power. At approx. 1/4/ throttle it bumps out of gear into neutral. My question is.... what is this motor worth and if it is the "gear dog" and I investing more money in this motor than is worth???? Stoped by another local shop, the mechanic there said it sounded like the gear dog ect.....He said your probably looking at another $300 or so...What is my best option? I know a new 25hp cost over $3,000.... but am I sinking money into an endless pit???thanks for your experienced opinions...

 

[restornator]

Re: 1975 25HP JOHNSON-Slipping out of Forward

first, it's not all expensive. You can buy the clutch dog for around $150 new, or find a used lower unit in good condition and swap. Either swap the entire lower unit, or the gear set. The reason the clutch dog is that expensive is because your motor's prop shaft has the detent balls. I have swapped gear sets from motors 10 years older and different HP, and it will work. I am sure some people wont advise this.

Your motor is worth about $700 in perfect condition in the Great Lakes region....$150 max for a parts motor

 

[mchin]

Re: 1975 25HP JOHNSON-Slipping out of Forward

Before you spend another dime, have you checked the shift handle, on mine, there are two screws that I can loosen and adjust my shift placement. There's a cam with a rounded slot in it. You may just need to make an adjustment. Of course if your motor has been popping out and the LU gears have been hitting, you may need a new dog and gears. Parts can be had cheaper then what you mech wants to sell it to you, if you feel comfortable, you could do the fix yourself and save a bunch.

 

[gacriboat]

Re: 1975 25HP JOHNSON-Slipping out of Forward

I really appreciate the help thus far...I took the boat for kinda a "sea trial" and removed the shift cable from the motor when in open water...once I put any demand on the motor, about 1/4 throttle, the shift lever seemed to vibrate out of forward and into neutral. The strange thing is that when in reverse it seemed to remain in gear just fine. I will look at the arear near the shifter closer to see if I can idetify some type of adjustment...I wouldnt mind doing the work myself...The local mechanic I use seems to get most of his parts from around the shop from other motors ect....Prices don't seem to bad, but the labor is what costs...

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: 1975 25HP JOHNSON-Slipping out of Forward

Don't know about 1975, but on some of the older motors, you can swap forward/reverse gears/dog and it'll work. But you can't go very fast in reverse cause it'll pop out of gear.

 

[mchin]

Re: 1975 25HP JOHNSON-Slipping out of Forward

http://epc.brp.com/Index.aspx?lang=E&s1=0ac6f404-1fe5-4d41-8220-c0d254931757

This should be a link the brp parts diagram of your motor, item call out #39. should show a cam that is adjustable, I would suggest trying to adjust it without the cables attached and after you get it shifting right, add them back and a make necessary adjustments. If that doesn't work, then get a manual, drain your LU, check for metal bits or shavings, and then consider opening it up. Which involves removing it from the motor, visually inspecting it, and then if bad, replacing it. While you're down there, I would also suggest replacing the seals as well.

In all not a hard job, just kinda messy.