'61 Johnson 40hp ... moving on to control cables

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

F R, thanks for the explanation and photo. The system seems rather convoluted. I'm sure we all wish it would work as good in practice as on paper. So once I get a carb kit, I'll strip the whole thing down, clean it etc., and hope it works like it's suppose to. I guess the next thing is to check the thermostat. I suppose I can check the thermostat's operation by putting it into a cup of boiling water and watch it open... or not. Just gotta locate it first; but I do have the parts catalogue, so I shouldn't have any trouble with that task.
Again, all of you have been more than helpful.
Thank you.

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Because I know you're all curious ... popped the thermostat, put it in boiling water and it opened in about 15 seconds. Under cold - closed up, back to hot, and back and forth a few more times... seems to work just fine. One less part to source... whew.

 

[Nasbinator]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

I have this same motor and once I got all the kinks worked out of it its been really reliable so far. Once you get your carb kit and impellar you should be in good shape. I would also get a fuel pump kit too.

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

A fuel pump kit too, eh? OK. I'll have a look at the parts catalogue and see what all that entails. Hopefully something as simple as the thermostat... but I doubt it. Thanks for the heads-up Nasbinator. Nice to know it'll be a decent motor when, as you say, all the kinks are out of it. But a quick question about the (actually your) automatic choke assembly ... does it work OK for you? Or do you do as explained above; open the door and set the choke manually?

 

[Nasbinator]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Knowing how bad they are I never even attempted to use it. I turn the choke on manually, then after a few seconds turn it off. After that I dont need it for the rest of the day. I never use it because I dont always want to have that doubt in my mind if its working or not. As for the fuel pump, its a easy rebuild. Comes with a few gaskets and O rings. Piece o cake.

 

[boobie]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... lower unit removed. Bad impeller!

For my 2 cents that was one of the worst choke systems OMC ever built. They used the same system on the early 60's V-4's and they didn't work either. Usually the hinges on the hood door would wear out before the mtr did.

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... moving on to the control cables.

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... moving on to the control cables.

Well, I guess that's good news and bad news about the automatic choke system. Good news - things will still work manually, bads news (for me at least) - I like things to work properly, but I'm sure I can live with it... I'll just leave the door open.

Now to the control cables... can I shorten them myself, or will I need someone with a special swaging tool to do so? Reason is, I'm considering moving the helm back a good three feet or so, which means they'll be waaay too long.
Please and thank you.

 

[knehdn]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... moving on to control cables

Bump.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: '61 Johnson 40hp ... moving on to control cables

I've never shortened cables before....I suppose it can be done with a new fitting and a tool to put it on with...