clutch dog n gears

[mstrud]

i know my 50hp johnson needs a new clutch dog, i ordered the factory shop manual for it today and am waiting till i get it to yank off the foot, and start the rebuild. but i have a question on the metalurgy of the clutch dog. the guy at the marina told me with the new clutch dog the gears would have to be replaced too. i dont know if he was trying to upsell me or if he was being honest but id like to know. Based on its function id think clutch dog would be made from a slightly softer alloy than the gears, so it would be the part that wears. does anyone have any input in this? id sure like to know what to expect.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: clutch dog n gears

it has always been recommended to replace the set.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: clutch dog n gears

Almost all gears are made from quality alloy steels and then heat treated to increase strength and endurance. The dog is usually the same as gears or a tad harder as it takes all the punishment on the ramp ends. I would replace gears since you know clutch is bad and it has been ran this way.. JMO

 

[F_R]

Re: clutch dog n gears

Everybody thinks they can get away with just the clutch dog. Wishful thinking. The only think that because the gear costs so much. They both wear at the same time. OK, so one might be worn more than the other, but putting a new part against a worn part will only cause quick wear to the new one and you will be right back where you started.

 

[5150abf]

Re: clutch dog n gears

FR is 100% correct, I have replaced just the dog,just a gear, mixed and matched various parts from different motors, it is at best a temporary fix, none of them lasted more than a year ,had I done it right the first time I would have saved money and down time.
Yes, it really sucks to pay someone that kind of money to fix it but it will be done right and it will last more than a year.
If your dog blew it got chips in the oil that ran through he gears and damaged them, eventually at WOT your gear will throw a tooth and you are done(I know, this happened to me twice, it isn't a happy sound)
If you miss your tolerances by the slightest bit to tight or too lose you will just blow something out again and you are right back where you started.
I lucked into a used lower on ebay that I have run for the last 3 years with no problem.
Moral is: do it right or do it again.

 

[mstrud]

Re: clutch dog n gears

yeah, ebay is da bomb, i found a brand new lower unit for what it would have cost for all the parts to do it myself.
Does anyone happen to know how much gear lube the foot of a VJ50TLETB holds? i put a little less than 20 ounces in it and couldn't get much more in it, I'm not totally sure its topped off though.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: clutch dog n gears

as long as it comes to the vent hole it is full. you did fill from the bottom, correct.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: clutch dog n gears

if you housing is good, put it on ebay. there are many people who have cracked housings. recoup part of your money. i just sold a complete, 18hp rude, in parts.

 

[5150abf]

Re: clutch dog n gears

mstrud, sounds about right, I have a 50 and can fill my lower 3 times with 2 quarts.
As TD said, as long as you filled it from the bottom up and it came out the top hole you are good, thats all you can put in.

So you found one, that is great, I got mine with a prop for a $142(!!!) + shipping, changed impeller and oil and have run it for 3 years now.

I recommend you change the impeller since you don't know how long it has been in the lower and the oil of coarse and I change mine 2-3 times a year, helps keep an eye on seals and it's cheap insurance.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: clutch dog n gears

you guys up north need to change your gear oil every year, before the first freeze. this is to make sure you have no water in the lower, that will freeze, and crack your lower. just darn cheap insurance.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: clutch dog n gears

you guys up north need to change your gear oil every year, before the first freeze. this is to make sure you have no water in the lower, that will freeze, and crack your lower. just darn cheap insurance.

Another advantage of a small outboard. I just take mine off the boat before I turn the boat upside down for the winter and take the outboard down to the basement, where it clamps onto the old concrete laundry sink, ready for me to mess with it over the long, long, cold winter.