mid-50's Johnson 5hp removing screws?

[bigrockets]

I picked up an old 5 horse Johnson at a yard sale this weekend. Its not in the greatest of shape but may be restorable. The bronze screws that fasten the cowling on the motor are corroded as is about everything else on the motor. The owner had attempted to remove the pull starter cover from the top and broke off two of the cover screws. I got the third one out. The screws that hold the cowling on are also stuck. I got two of them out but the other two are in there. What is the trick to getting these screws to come loose? My first problem was finding a screwdriver that was wide and thick enough to fill the screw slot. I can put enough torque on the screw but I don't want to snap off any more of them. Thanks in advance.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: mid-50's Johnson 5hp removing screws?

Use a hand help propane torch to heat (expand) the aluminum around the screws. A procedure we use constantly in removing tight bolts/screws, etc.

 

[F_R]

Re: mid-50's Johnson 5hp removing screws?

What Joe said is the best advice. However, the screws you are talking about, if original, are nickel plated brass. The heat trick usually doesn't work on brass screws because the brass expands faster then the aluminum around it.