ITS FIXED!! 1964 Johnson driveshaft

[KT64TM]

Joe might have a coronary but: my driveshaft is about an inch too short. I dont know why but it is and up until now hasnt given me any problems. <br /><br />Keep in mind this is just a temp fix till i can go to a boneyard and find one the right length.<br /><br />Good ole southern american engineering:<br /><br />I went to ACE hardware and got a 1in rubber stopper. Pulled the shaft out. Dropped the stopper into the pinion gear put the shaft back in and viola!! it works. I was going to shim it w/ washers but thought if they come out somehow, my L/U is toast. Looking at it, there's no way this thing can come out but in the off chance it does, its rubber, it'll get chewed up instead of my gears. heheheeh flame away

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: ITS FIXED!! 1964 Johnson driveshaft

How can your driveshaft be 2" short? Does your driveshaft have a portion at the top with a groove around it for the grease seal/o-ring, about 1-inch from the end? It may have sheared off. The bottom end may also have a machined groove around it where it may also have sheared off. In either case, your fix may be temporary at best as I don't think you're engaging fully on the splines in the pinion or crankshaft. They will wear quicker and will likely let go some time upon acceleration when stress is highest.<br /><br />Might be able to find a driveshaft out of a blown lower unit. Lots of them around...<br />- Scott

 

[KT64TM]

Re: ITS FIXED!! 1964 Johnson driveshaft

I replaced the orings on both ends.<br /><br />I used the spare shot lower unit as a reference, when i put the drive shaft in, it rested on the pinion gear retainer AND the notch for the impellor key was in the right spot.<br /><br />When i do the same on my current lower unit, the notch is 1 inch too low, AND the splines dont engage the crankshaft.<br /><br />I know its a temp fix, said that in my first post. its only there till i can get a day off to go to Sallisaw OK to an outboard boneyard. 1000s to choose from. <br /><br />Incidentally i ran 6 gallons of gas in it sunday afternoon (in a tub of course) at various rpm's. it performed flawlessly. I have a trolling motor and spare battery if she dies again on the lake<br /><br />last note: Joe, if you're reading this a riding lawnmower ignition switch will work. as long as its a 5 post for a magneto ignition. again thats only temporary as i want to keep this 40 year old boat all original