Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

[Big_Tuna]

So,

I have had some shifting issues of my lower end unit. This has the Hydro electric shift feature... what a luxury!LOL.

I have only owned this boat/motor for about a week now.
Last time out, she was running good, although I was having trouble shifting from forward to neutral to reverse. When it did shift, it was a bit rough.

Eventually, I couldnt get the boat out of forward.

Once I got the motor in my garage, i noticed a small crack in the lower end bullit casing (looks to be an older crack from freezing). I figured that the lower end oil must be gone considering there was a small crack. So I pulled the lower end drain/vent plugs, and about 5 oz of water poured out, followed by the remaining oil (10-12 oz). However, the oil was almost mud colored and very thick. Could not see much glitter look to it. I let it drain while I changed out the spark plugs (which were gaped incorrectly). After I removed the spark plugs, i saw what looked like motor oil dripping from where the prop is flushed up against the lower end case! Is this normal? Not a lot, but maybe 1 oz of oil. Where could that have come from?

I installed the new spark plugs and gaped them correctly, and did a simple JB weld on the lower end case where the small crack had formed.

I went ahead and checked the voltage on the two wires leading down to the upper and lower shift selenoids in the lower end. When in forward = no voltage, when in Neutral = Green wire 12 volts, when in reverse = Green and blue wires 12 volts. This is the proper set up and voltage. Are the selenoids dead?

Also, How much capacity does the lower end unit have? I need to buy some oil today and am curious how much to buy.

 

[slag]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

just under a quart.

 

[willy10]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

i have a 1971 60 horse and have been through similar situation as you. before you worry about solenoids you need to get correct fluid in it and try it. mine too shifted good and then stopped shifting and i found that it had a bad seal in it so i changed the seal replaced the fluid with the correct fluid and it shifted just fine. the manual says that those motors automatically shift into forward gear until hydraulic pressure is built up

 

[Daviet]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

Your lower unit does not like water, it will cause all kinds of problems. If the oil in the lower unit was thick and really crappy, I would suggest that you fill it with ATF and let it run on the hose for 15-20 minutes to flush it out. Let it drain really well and install type "C", or prieum blend for electric shift lower units, make sure to replace the seal washers on the vent/drain screws. The voltages you listed are correct, your shift switch is working properly. If for some reason (water in the lower unit) the lower unit fails it will default into forward gear, that's the way it is supposed to work.

 

[jayyyy]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

Your lower unit does not like water, it will cause all kinds of problems. If the oil in the lower unit was thick and really crappy, I would suggest that you fill it with ATF and let it run on the hose for 15-20 minutes to flush it out. Let it drain really well and install type "C", or prieum blend for electric shift lower units, make sure to replace the seal washers on the vent/drain screws. The voltages you listed are correct, your shift switch is working properly. If for some reason (water in the lower unit) the lower unit fails it will default into forward gear, that's the way it is supposed to work.[/QUOTE

X2, fix water intrusion issue first.

 

[Big_Tuna]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

Willy,

Do you happen to have a hard copy of the manual? Is there a way you could scan it and email me a copy of it? I cannot find anything on the motor.
Thanks!

Also,
I found one place in town that carries the proper oil. I flushed the old oil out, replaced the seals on the drain and vent plugs, and filled her up from the bottom up. Put the muffs on in the driveway and started her right up. She shifted flawlessly. You were correct about the fluid.

I do probably need to change the seals inside the lower unit now though. I noticed a small amount of oil draining out of a tiny hole that is between the vent plug and the drain plug on the side starboard side of the lower end unit. What are those holes for anyway? water drainage?

 

[boobie]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

You will see water and unburned fuel from the p/h coming out of them. Take and run it for short time and check your g/c oil again.

 

[Big_Tuna]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

Hmmm.. I will probably have it out this weekend. I am pretty sure it was the gunky old lower case oil or maybe something else. If my lower end seals are bad I should have less oil/more water in my lower end? How many seals are there to replace and is this a difficult job?

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[willy10]

Re: Lower unit HELP! Headache of a lower unit on a 1970 Johnson 60 HP

i do not have a scanner and can not get around one for a while but ill try. you can pick up a used one from amazon for around thirty bucks if that ma be easier