1990 40hp Johnson tilt problem

[karlow1]

I recently picked up a little FW boat project it's a 1990 17 pro deep Vee Tracker. One of it's problems is the motor will not tilt. It does not have power trim. The previous owner says it has not worked for years. He thinks there is a cable that pulls a valve release that went to a plastic lever. I need to get in there to fix it. Any help? How can I release it. Is his description correct? He seemed to think it was hydraulic, but machanical not powered. On other smaller engines there was a cable, and clamp system. I do not have a manual for this engine.

KP

 

[kjdunne]

Re: 1990 40hp Johnson tilt problem

I have a '89 40 hp on a Pro Deep V 17. The manual tilt mechanisim is a lever on the starboard side of the engine transom mount, which activates a valve of a hydraulic cylinder via a cable. The cylinder only holds the engine in the position you manually put it in and close the valve. The lever rotated forward releases the valve, rearward closes it. The cable has a plastic socket that snaps onto a ball on the lever. This socket may have broken, available thru dealers. It may also only need adjustment, it threads onto the cable. The cylinder is between the two "legs" of the transom mount, inaccessable if you can't raise the motor.

If you mean the tilt dosen't work such as you can't raise the motor, the tilt tube may be frozen in place. The tilt tube is where the steering cable passes thru the transom mount. Freeing this requires lots of penetrating oil, heat, and lots, lots, lots of patience.