Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

RickyAust

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Jan 9, 2007
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Yesterday whilst out boating I struck some rocks whilst entering the boat ramp which actually snapped one of the fins off my prop. I stopped the motor then tried to start it again.

The motor started however after the colision I had no forward or reverse control. Ended up getting towed back to the ramp by the local police which was good as we had a ocean liner coming our way!

Its a 1967 Johnson 60HP VX. When I pulled the boat out of the water I noticed one of the three fins on the prop has completely gone and snapped. Just wondering what other damage I could have done as I thought the boat would have still been able to move even with two fins?
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

You probably broke the shear (Drive) pin. Remove the propeller and take a look-see.
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

you probably spun the prop, there is and inner metal housing, and an outter housing with a rubber hub, between them, breaking the blade off, probably cracked the hub, the causing the prop to slip. and not grab. with the engine off put the motor in gear and try turning the prop.
 

RickyAust

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

Just tried it. The prop spins freely when in neutral, but in fwd and rvse the prop moves a little then locks. Is this what it is supposed to do?
 

WillyBWright

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

With a sheared pin, the prop would free-wheel in any shift position. With a spun hub, it would slip under load.

It's possible that the stump where the broken blade used to be attached is creating cavitation bubbles which are preventing the good blades from grabbing clean water.

No matter what, you're going to have to replace that prop before using the boat again.

You might want to check the gearlube for metal, but the shear pin usually shears before any damage to the gears inside, especially on a low-speed strike.
 

steelespike

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

You broke the shear pin It is under the prop nut.Sometimes a broken pin will move enough to catch a little as you rotate by hand.
It is normal for the prop to rotate about 1/4 turn in gear.
Remove the cotter pin and the prop nut and there will be the shear pin.Your dealer will have one; be sure to get a spare.
When you are boating observe the color and action of the water with practice you will be able to tell what is under the surface.Of course be very cautious where you don't know the water.As a serious hit could cost a lot of money.
 

RickyAust

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

You guys are exactly right. I took the prop off this morning and the shear pin was snapped. So I am off to get the prop repaired today and get a new shear pin. I am a little concerned though as when I took the motor last night off the tilt holder, I noticed water dripping from the lower gear case join, not a lot but I am guessing any water in there is not good. Inspected the join of the lower unit there is a little knick on the join which may have been caused by the colision.
 

OBJ

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

Check the gear case lube and see if there is any water in it. That chould tell you if you have problems.
 

F_R

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

There is a drain hole where the upper and lower gearcases join. It's sort of a slot and it's OK and normal for water to run out there. I assume that's what you are seeing and calling a knick. That's not coming out of the oil chamber.

But if the lower case has dropped down a bit, that's a broken stud, and must be fixed. There are two studs holding it together, one front and one rear.
 

RickyAust

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

I purchased a reconditioned prop today but when I went to fit it, noticed that the thrust washer is missing. It must have dislodged when I hit the rocks perhaps? Can these be purchased seperately? And if so, what is the part number for a 1967 johnson 60 HP VX motor?
 

F_R

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

You mean the washer that goes between the shear pin and propeller? That is part number 304576.
 

mikesea

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Oct 1, 2006
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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

maybe the old washer is stuck on the old prop,cant see how it could have gotten off in water,or maybe you dropped it where you took old prop off
 

RickyAust

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

Do I actually need the thrust washer? what is its purpose as I cant see the prop moving without it being there?
 

F_R

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

In theory, the rubber hub in the prop is allowed to slip under a determined amount of torque for protection against hard underwater impacts. (Didn't help much did it? Anyway if it does slip the prop could tend to spin it's way off the hub. The washer is there to limit that. Can you get away with leaving it out? Well lessee, how many thousands of them are out there right now running just fine without it?
 

RickyAust

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

Does anyone know where I can purchase the following two parts from?

Thrust washer p/n 304576
& Shear Pin (not sure of the part number)

to suit Johnson 1967 60HP Model VX

I can not find anyone here in Australia that sells them.
 

tashasdaddy

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Re: Broken Prop - No Fwd/Rvrse Johnson 60HP 1967

try laingsoutboards.com and seawaymarine.com also tcoutboards.com.
 
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