1977 Johnson 70hp lower unit

[thazard@hotmail.com]

I purchase a 1977 Johnson 70 hp (70EL77S) outboard with a locked up lower unit. I had a 1973 65 hp (65ESL73R) parts motor with a good lower unit. I put the '73 lower unit on the '77 motor and the prop shaft appears to be turning backwards.<br /> When shifted into the forward position, the linkage pulls the shift rod up and into gear. When the flywheel is turned clockwise the prop turns counterclockwise. I have owned several older 3 cylinder Johnsons and have never seen a counter clockwise rotating prop. I was under the assumption that all of the 3 cylinder motors were clockwise rotating engines and clockwise rotating propeller shafts. Does anyone have any ideas or insight. Thanks.

 

[Hooty]

Re: 1977 Johnson 70hp lower unit

If these are the electro-mechanical l/u's, I suspect something hokey with the re-assembly, maybe the shift assist assembly.<br />Do you have a manual for both engines?<br /><br />c/6<br /><br />Hooty