'46 Johnson PO-15, 2 gear case fluid sections?

[joaklay]

I picked up a very nice original PO-15 and I'm trying to determine what's suppose to be in the lower of the two gearcase fluid areas. I have a vintage service manual on old Johnson outboards, it shows the 2 areas but I find no mention of what type lube should be in the very bottom. It looks like wheel bearing grease, opened both drain and vent screws and it just stays there as grease would.<br />The upper area looks like normal modern day premium gearcase lube.<br />Surely someone here must know?

 

[OBJ]

Re: '46 Johnson PO-15, 2 gear case fluid sections?

Well joaklay....sometimes there's this post that comes up and get's everyone to scratchin' their heads. Seems you just posted one.<br /><br />Back in them days they used a lube called Hypoid 90 in the gear cases. Darn near grease is what it looks like. Might be what your seeing. As I recall, it's sorta a whitish lookin' stuff. But darn if I know if it's supposed to be in both gearcases. Maybe Dhadley will know or someone that sleeps with his service manual..... <br /><br />I'll check my manuals in the morning when I get to the shop just in case no one else shows up. So..hang in there....one of us will get you an answer.

 

[JB]

Re: '46 Johnson PO-15, 2 gear case fluid sections?

Well, neither of my vintage Johnson Service Manuals covers anything about the 22hp PO-15, except to list its specs.<br /><br />Mysterious.

 

[OBJ]

Re: '46 Johnson PO-15, 2 gear case fluid sections?

Well joaklay, I was unable to come up with an answer for ya'. But this will bump the post to the top and hopefully one of the other guys will take a look. If no one does for a while, I'll send out an SOS.

 

[joaklay]

Re: '46 Johnson PO-15, 2 gear case fluid sections?

I'm a member of the AOMCI but I often get more and better responses here. I posted this same Q there too and one guy seems to think that wheel bearing grease (or something similar?) might have been used for those. The upper section looked like "normal" old gear case lube. <br /> This is my oldest (out of 14) vintage outboards and to me, this PO-15 is the strangest "beasty" as well.<br /> I'm glad that no water came out the 2 drain plugs as has in some of my other projects.<br /> It has compression and I'm sure its carb needs cleaning but I hope to get it running soon. It's in very good, original condition with all its original decals.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: '46 Johnson PO-15, 2 gear case fluid sections?

Back then many of the motors used a #105 grease in the lower units. Lubriplate makes it.