1985 4hp Johnson question...

[dfrants]

Just got a 1985 4hp Johnson. It uses a remote fuel tank and only has forward and neutral, no reverse, it spins around for reverse. I've never had one like this before. My question is...when the motor is in neutral should I be able the spin the prop freely? Like you can on a 9.9? This one takes some effort to turn so it doesn't idle down nice and slow.

 

[boobie]

Yes..........

 

[kbait]

With motor not running, shift to neutral and pull the rope slowly. If I recall correctly, prop will spin forward about 1/2 turn, then release into neutral, and you can easily turn prop by hand.. hope this helps.

 

[dfrants]

Tried what you suggested...it does shift into neutral but the prop doesn't spin easily. I can hear a rubber rubbing against something sound...maybe a seal? I'm pretty sure its not the impeller. Any ideas?

 

[merkdawg0084]

take the propeller off and make sure you don't have anything on the prop shaft.

 

[dfrants]

checked it...its clean. when I got this motor the lower unit looked to be in its original condition. none of the bolt heads had any paint chips. everything looks to be as is from the factory.

 

[Rook66]

I would think the rubber you hear rubbing is the water pump impeller as you turn the prop?

 

[F_R]

That motor has a spring clutch connecting the forward gear to the prop shaft, a variation of a design dating clear back to the early 1950's. The engine (not the prop shaft) has to be rotating in order for the clutch to release. Stop rotating the engine and it re-engages to forward gear.

With the motor not running and held from rotating, the prop shaft can be turned with some effort in one direction (forward direction) only. I dunno, MAYBE turning it in the forward direction MIGHT make enough sound to hear. In the other direction (backwards direction), turning the prop shaft will rotate the whole engine shaft.

Water pump is on the vertical drive shaft, rotates any time the engine is running.