67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

[jdc31x]

I have a 1967, Johnson 60 hp , V4, model # VXL-13A, I have just replaced all the lower unit seals to fix a leak. I also swapped carburetors(I have a parts motor) at this time because the low speed needles were loose on the original carb and would not stay put. Now the engine overheats badly too hot to touch the heads. this engine doesnt seem to have a tell tale (I dont think it was designed with one) but I get a good spray of water from the round hole in the back of the exhaust shroud. The water impeller looked good. When I put the lower unit back on the engine it didnt want to fit together easily, I got the shift rod connected, But I wonder about the copper tube coming off the water pump, I kept slowly moving the unit it slipped together. I assume the tubes connected to the grommets. But again this engine ran cool before this project began. Any advice is welcome...

 

[bill giffear]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

jdc31x, I would drop the lower unit and hook up a water hose with a clamp to see if you are getting good water circulation,also how old is the water pump? I change mine every 3rd year. Bill

 

[jdc31x]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

Im not sure how old the impeller is, I just bought the motor a month ago. It looks ok to me, but to describe it , it does have a little wear on the edge that touches the pump housing when comparing it to the side that is away from the housing. But I do see a spray at the back of the motor, as far as a telltale, I dont think this motor has one, so im not sure if this spray is any good indication of circulation. But I will try dropping the lower unit and hooking a hose to the cooling line. Also is this model equipped with a thermostat? Ive looked thru my Seloc book, and find nothing on the subject, if it does have one, where is it located, and what does it look like?....Any advice will be much appreciated....

 

[jdc31x]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

Ok, Ive removed the lower unit, hooked up a garden hose to the water pump tube going into the engine. getting good circulation, BUT now that its overheated so badly, ive got water seeping out from a couple of head gaskets, around a couple of spark plugs, and the big square exhaust plate gasket also leaks a little. OH BOY! On the good side i guess the rest of the block gaskets on the sides and the intake side look good, and by the way the lower unit seals, (original intended project) is tight as a drum, NO leaks! Gotta see the good in things right?(lol) Well the next question is will a new head gasket set, and new impeller, take care of this new problem? I do have a spare parts motor and the powerhead isnt stuck on it, It seems to have good compression when I turn it over by hand. But Im not sure as to why this other powerhead/motor was taken out of service, im not sure what happened to it. Any advice/suggestions is more than welcome.....

 

[jdc31x]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

Any takers on this one?? What is good minimum compression on this 67, V4? Im getting about 90psi on each cyl.

 

[DJ]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

90 psi. is OK. The important thing is they are all the same.<br /><br />I would put new head gaskets on. I do not think you had the cooling tube hooked up. Your engine DOES NOT have a telltale. The water spray you saw from the exhaust leg simply means there is water in the exhaust housing. Doesn't mean it's getting to the powerhead.<br /><br />Congrat's on the L/U reseal.

 

[jdc31x]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

Thanks for replying djohns19, do you have any suggestions as to a good place to purchase "vintage" johnson parts? I went to my local dealer to get a new waterpump impeller, and he gave me one that had a slightly larger driveshaft diameter than mine. He kept saying that was the one his book called for, and i kept showing him the size difference in the center..., I tried my local NAPA parts store and their books dont go back that far to "67"..... Anyone got any tips?...thanks...

 

[DJ]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

jdc,<br /><br />Try: www.rickracers.com or www.theshadconection.com. Have your model # and serial # handy. Also, do a search on this board for "vintage Johnson or Evinrude".<br /><br />I know those parts are readily available.<br /><br />By the way, you might just get lucky and retourquing the head bolts will seal it up. Do it carefully. starting from the center and working your way out. I BELIEVE the torque spec. is fairly low-about 15-18 lb. ft.

 

[jdc31x]

Re: 67 Johnson 60hp V4 overheating

Ok, thanks djohns, ill check it out, and also try retightning the headbolts, thanks again...JDC