Help with 88 SPL Johnson Exhaust Cover

[runninfarmer]

HI everybody. I just finished rebuilding my water pump in a 1987 88 SPL Johnson, model J88MSLCUS. I got the motor running after it sat for 8-10 years. It actually was idling pretty good. I was happy until I noticed water leaking out of the exhaust cover. I sprayed fogging oil through the carbs to protect bearings, etc from any potetnial water and shut the motor off. I pulled the exhaust cover and have ordered new gaskets. I have a few questions though, since my service manual doesn't cover the procedure for replacing the gaskets and putting the cover back on. Also doesn't have the torque specs or bolt tightening sequence. I'm assuming it's a spiral pattern? I've attached pics of the cover and inside the exhaust side of the engine. There is a lot of carbon in there and on the cover! Should I use Permatex gasket remover to clean the carbon and gasket residue?

I've used this thread for reference:
http://forums.iboats.com/johnson-ev...-exhaust-cover-gasket-replacement-333096.html

In that thread someone mentioned " Exhaust Housing to Powerhead screws (V4) 16 - 18 ft. lbs . Use OMC Gel Seal II as sealant. Exhaust Cover screws, 60-84 in. lbs., use OMC gasket sealing compound. I have J90TLCUR also."

Which are the exhaust powerhead screws and which are the cover screws? Thanks for the help!

 

[boobie]

Re: Help with 88 SPL Johnson Exhaust Cover

Have you got the p/h off of the exhaust housing ?? If not all you'll have to deal with is the exhaust cover screws which are 60-84 in lbs.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Help with 88 SPL Johnson Exhaust Cover

Replacing the cover gaskets is a fairly straightforward job. Scrape/clean the old gasket material off first. Use a permatex type gasket sealant. (The brown sealant in a can with a brush in the cap) Probably a good idea to tighten from the center of those covers outward. Torque in multiple stages. Retorque after you run the engine through a couple of heat/cool cycles.

 

[runninfarmer]

Re: Help with 88 SPL Johnson Exhaust Cover

I noticed my inner cover has a slight bend in it from the center. Is there a way to flatten this out? I would like to get by without tracking down a used one. I can post a pic of it later.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: Help with 88 SPL Johnson Exhaust Cover

Tightening it down on the motor should remove any little bend.
You should run a tapping thread through those exhaust screws holes and clean them out so you can get more accurate torque readings.