Exhaust cover removal 89 Johnson 50 hp

[coachmendave]

I have to clean out the water ports since no water thru the power head. How do I remove the cowling to get to the bolts? I have that gasket and head gasket. Sure would nice to get the boat in the water! Any ideas are welcome. I can't find it any where in the Seloc manual. Thanks

 

[jakedaawg]

Have you back flushed through the thermostat housing? If that's an old one piece cowl it's not coming offeasily. Not to mention taking off the exhaust side cover on an 89 could be a huge headache. Make sure you have exhausted all other options. If it's a two piece cowl there are a number of 3/8" cap screws. Some inside some outside that hold the two halves together. Don't force anything. Once you find them all they pop right off.

As far as exhaust cover bolts, get a very low power 3/8 drive impact and try to shake the bolts loose to avoid breaking. Just pull the trigger and let it shake them out.it won't hurt anything to let the impact run on the bolts even if they don't come right away. I am referring to a battery operated impact in the 7-10 volt range

 

[coachmendave]

It is an old river boat, always fresh water. I wish. C L R would do the trick but not sure what car would do to the aluminum. I really don't want to pull the exhaust. Over and head for calcium build up unless necessary. What else can I try? Maybe vinegar or peroxide. Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like an exhaust cover is tough.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Are you sure impellers ok?
Have you dropped the LU and put a hose on it?

 

[coachmendave]

Yes sir I have made adapters for all water outlets, rooster tail, tell tale, lower unit removed and flushed from the bottom up, thru the thermostat housing and no flow from rooster tail. There must be a blockage some where. The impeller is new. The titanic is unsinkable. Lol someone suggested vinegar and I may try it.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Not sure what a rooster tail is on an outboard, only on a jetski, id imagine it could be a good addition.
If things are blocked so much that you cant get any water up then i doubt vinegars going to achieve enough and provide enough clearance to be sure your flow is good enough when its getting hot.
I took my friends 2hp apart the other day as it had no flow, i require a drill to clean the stuff out

 

[coachmendave]

Ouch drilling sounds like real hardened buildup. I guess I need to get busy!

 

[Fed]

What is the rooster tail?

 

[coachmendave]

The stream of water, rpm related coming from the bottom of the top cowling. The stream above the water level to confirm coolant thru the power head. It's a southern term, like "I'm fixin to get ready to think about moyesing over that to see if I want to consider doing that that chore before dinner" L O L

 

[Fed]

I think it's normal not to see any water coming from the rooster tail on the muffs, maybe just fine specks but no real flow as such.

 

[coachmendave]

Maybe I can get it to the lake and idle in the lake to test it. Thanks