Impeller - 1960 Johnson

[FishMagnet]

Looks like we've got a few nice days ahead of us and I just received my new impeller in the mail so I'm going to give it a shot and replace it.<br /><br />Any tips or thoughts before I get going? I've heard its not a bad job, but I seem to make things harder than they should be. <br /><br />Matt

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

1960 showplaced a numbr of engines from 3hp to 75hp in the Johnson field. Tips require knowing which one you have (grin).

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

I take it this is his 40hp.<br />You must completely remove one of the two bolts from the shift coupler behind the window for the shift rod to come out. Oh, and you must remove the back half of the midsection cover to get at the large bolt that holds the l/u on from above.

 

[FishMagnet]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Sorry, yes this is my 40hp Johnson.<br /><br />Hmmm... Maybe I'm getting in over my head with this one. Most of what you posted (Paul) is Greek to me. By window I assume you mean there is one panel that will come off exposing the area I need to get to. If so, once this is off will I be able to see the impeller so I have an idea how to get to it? Maybe I should let someone else do this, though it would be nice to know how to do myself.<br /><br />Matt

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

The window Paul speaks of..... On the starboard (right) side of the engine, halfway down the outer exhaust housing (the long housing between the powerhead and the lower unit), there is a rectangular plate secured with two screws. Remove those screws and plate.<br /><br />You will now see a inner plate secured with two bolts, remove those bolts and plate.<br /><br />That will reveal the brass shift connector which couples the top shift rod to the lower unit shift rod. Remove the top 3/8" hex bolt from the brass connector.<br /><br />Now, remove those zillion philip screws that retain the rear cover from the exhaust housing cover to reveal the rear lower unit retaining screw/bolt.<br /><br />Remove the that rear bolt and the other six lower unit retaining bolts, then drop the lower unit away from the engine.<br /><br />The water pump sits on top of the lower unit and will be obvious.

 

[FishMagnet]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Joe, those are fantastic directions. Thank you. I got everything taken apart. One problem, the impeller vintageoutboard sent me is not the same as the one in my water pump. The one currently in my water pump looks in good condition. Here is my problem.<br /><br />The one they sent me is a shaped like a picture of the sun with a circle in the middle and "paddles" going straight out. The one in the pump is a circle with paddles going out, but with a curve. Of course, I took the old one out not paying attention to whether the curves were facing clockwise or counterclockwise. Any idea which way they go?<br /><br />Thanks in advance.<br /><br />Matt

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Joe always gives great advice. <br /><br />The old impeller you have has taken on a 'set'. The impeller they sent you is what the old impeller looked like new. <br />Turn the driveshaft clockwise (viewed from above) while pushing the housing on over it, and the vanes will turn to the correct direction.<br />When you reassemble, coat the threaded parts of all your bolts and screws in sealant and they won't corrode in place. They'll be a lot easier to remove next time.<br /><br />Hope that explains it!

 

[FishMagnet]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

New impeller is in place.<br /><br />Next problem. <br /><br />For the life of me, I cannot get the lower unit to line back up. I believe it is the two pipes coming off the water pump that aren't matching up correctly with their holes. I spent a good hour trying to persuade them to align. No luck. Any tips?<br /><br />Thanks yet again. lol<br /><br />Matt

 

[jfm1]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

you just have to play around with them they can be a pain I always mark the tube before I take them apart gets them pretty close good luck

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Matt... Have the lower unit in reverse so that when you turn the propeller, the drive shaft will turn in the proper (clockwise) direction.<br /><br />Coat the two water tube gromments with grease. The water tubes should not give you a problem as they are close together and should just about fall into the grommets of the water pump.<br /><br />The thought crossed my mind that you might have those tubes inserted into the water pump and are trying to get them into the upper holes of the exhaust housing? If so, remove the tubes from the pump and manually insert them into the upper grommets within the exhaust housing so that they are up within the housing awaiting the water pump.<br /><br />Now, Have the engines shift handle in foward so that it doesn't interfere with anything as you push the lower unit upwards. Have the lower unit in reverse as stated earlier.<br /><br />Keeping the lower unit straight, not tilted one way or the other (forward, back, sideways) slide the lower unit up, guiding the water tubes into the pump grommets. Usually the driveshaft splines dont match perfectly and this is the reason for having the lower unit in gear. Turn the prop slowly which in turn is rotating the driveshaft so that the driveshaft splines slide into the crankshaft splines.<br /><br />The rest of the procedure should be no problem, but if one exists, we're here.

 

[FishMagnet]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Thanks Joe & Paul for all your help. The impeller change was a success. I feel pretty silly, but all I needed to do yesterday was turn the prop a bit to get the shaft in. Took my less than 15 minutes to put it back together, and an afternoon trying to figure out what the heck I was doing. Oh well, it was a learning experience, it'll be easy next time.<br /><br />I'll throw in another question while I'm at it. I've been trying to run the motor in a large barrel, but when I fire it up it tends to throw a lot of the water out forcing me to shut it down. I don't want to take any chances. Is this normal? And would I be better off just taking it out to the lake and running it a bit?<br /><br />Matt

 

[FishMagnet]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

One quick question about my outboard while I have your attention. Does the 1960 Johnson 40hp (RD-22) use a thermostat?<br /><br />Matt

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Yes it does. It is underneath the plate on the top of the head (the part that the spark plugs screw into) held in by three screws. Couldn't miss it if you tried since it sort of sticks out.

 

[FishMagnet]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Are there any websites you would recommend where I could order a new thermostat? I'm not sure if its working or not, but I'd guess its fairly cheap to replace so I might as well.<br /><br />Matt

 

[rwcreigh1]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

if i was you i would go ahead and just put a new water pump in.by the way this is a great time for new lower unit drain and vent plugs(their cheap).good luck

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Impeller - 1960 Johnson

Well, I feel obliged to recomend our hosts:<br />Thermostat Kit 18-3672 <br />Your local dealer will have one too. They were used on lots of different Johnny/Rudes.<br />You can test the thermostat by putting it in a pot of water and heating it up on a stove with a meat thermometer. It should begin opening around 140°F. Actually, it's pretty cool to watch.