1981 50hp Johnson throttle control problems

[Johnson81]

I just acquired a boat with a 1981 50hp Seahorse Outboard. The engine runs fine. Reverse worked smooth. When engaging into forward it was a little tough to push into forward and to accelerate. I took the throttle body apart to inspect it. When I put it back together I put into forward and it gets stuck. I have to put a lot of effort to bring back to neutral. It won't go into reverse now. Not sure if it's the cables or the mechanism in the throttle controls. When I first disassembled the throttle control body, I removed both cables and they seemed to move fine and no sign of binding. Not sure where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[prolinegod]

Re: 1981 50hp Johnson throttle control problems

That sounds like the exact same thing as me. I just bought a bought and same thing so i took the shifter remote box apart and found the shifter plastic piece was worn out and i noticed the cables were not moving easy enough when unhooked at the motor and remote. So i finally found some cables (not cheap) and fixed the plastic shifter piece but before i put the linkage on the motor i noticed the arm that the shifter cable goes to was stiff too from sitting for a few years not being used. so i greased the shaft with a grease gun (there were 3 nipples to attach it to) and sprayed down the linkage that went down to the drive and it finally worked its way loose. I tell you these boats do not like to sit I also reccomend changing the gear oil !! good luck!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1981 50hp Johnson throttle control problems

cables lives are only about 10 -15 years. then they start sticking. 1 st step when checking is the disconnect at the motor.

 

[Johnson81]

Re: 1981 50hp Johnson throttle control problems

Thanks.....One thing I forgot to mention, when I disconnected both cables from the throttle control body it and tried forward and reverse, it seemed to have worked fine. You think the cables just need to be replaced?

 

[VaGent]

Re: 1981 50hp Johnson throttle control problems

That sounds like the exact same thing as me. I just bought a bought and same thing so i took the shifter remote box apart and found the shifter plastic piece was worn out and i noticed the cables were not moving easy enough when unhooked at the motor and remote. So i finally found some cables (not cheap) and fixed the plastic shifter piece but before i put the linkage on the motor i noticed the arm that the shifter cable goes to was stiff too from sitting for a few years not being used. so i greased the shaft with a grease gun (there were 3 nipples to attach it to) and sprayed down the linkage that went down to the drive and it finally worked its way loose. I tell you these boats do not like to sit I also reccomend changing the gear oil !! good luck!

I have a 1984 Johnsom outboard with the same problems. My question is this. Can "universal cables" be purchased or do they have to be exact fit" for the engine being used. I am "new" to all this & have no idea where to start looking except at a marine supplier which I am sure is going to cause me to get a 2nd mortgage on the house. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1981 50hp Johnson throttle control problems

Johnson81
cabke should be fine, like is said they do not like sharp bends.


VaGent
cables are engine brand specific, iboats sells cable very reasonably.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat_Control_Cables/dm/category_id.217130--view_id.217130

 

[VaGent]

Re: 1981 50hp Johnson throttle control problems

Thanks for the link you provided. One other thing if you don't mind me asking about. What about the control head itself? Mine has power trim & tilt. I saw one on eBay with a bid of $66.00 on it so far that looks exactly like mine & it comes with the cables. NOt too sure about stuff one buys off of eBay. I would prefer to buy one from a reputable seller to be honest.

Mine has the lever for starting & then the main lever for the gear engagement/throttle. It's a 1985 as far as I know as I bought the boat used.