Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

[Droll]

What's the problems and/or advantages with those old electric shift motors ?.<br />In an other post on this forum I did read this one "Avoid 1972 and older electric shift models" .<br />Got my motor back in 93 , it was not perfect but the only place without problems was the lowerunit ,there was not any big problems , if I just knew what I do know today .<br /><br />I am now gathering the last parts for a total rebuild , so .... what up with these lowerunits ??<br /><br />I did like what phatmanmike, again and Becken wrote here in this post . <br />They are very easy to understand ,and then fix , IF you can get the parts ( I did )<br />But then ,I got the electric shift unit, not any elhydraulic shift unit .

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

Here are some of difference's With the electric shift's. The 40 HP twin, thru the 90 HP V-4 used a smaller, two piece gearcase. They were somewhat harder to keep sealed as they used only single lipped seals'. They also used a metal sealing washer under the two retaining stud's holding the cases together, plus they used a stainless washer under the locking nut's that had to be sealed. Like all the electric's, they were intolerent of water leakage. If the lube broke down, this would allow the spring to slip on the gear. If this happened, and it only took once, you had to replace both the spring, and gear. I tried a couple method's to salvage these part's, non with success.<br /> The 100 HP v-4 used a much larger gearcase, and was the same as the old ball drive I-O. It was easier to keep sealed, and also used a simple piston type oil pump to supply oil to the upper drive shaft bearing. This was located under, and was driven by the prop shaft. They also used but a single seal on the prop, and drive shaft.The shared the same problem with the small case if the spring were to slip.<br /> The hydro-electric was a totally different design. They used a regular type clutch dog that was controlled by a hydraulic pump located in the nose of the case, and driven by the prop shaft. The pump was controlled by two electric solinoid's. Because they shifted so rapidly, you rarely see a gear, or shift dog show much wear from shifting. They were sealed by double seal's, and quite heavy o-ring's. If they leaked water, this could make the piston hang up in it's bore, and the unit would not shift. They are really a quite simple unit to repair once you become familiar with them.<br /> As has already been stated, the parts for any of these unit's are exspensive. I personally liked the Johnson unit's with there single lever control box, as this made docking, or putting the boat on the trailer very easy. I know this is a very basic explanation on these unit's, but this is about a long as I can type. Over the year's I have owned all three of these unit's.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

I'll second what RJ posted. The later hydroelectrics were good units IMHO. I had one and it functioned perfectly. All they required was some care as all lower units and engines do. I didn't care much for the early spring loaded shifts. To much to go wrong and were more difficult to work on cause you had to contend with the solenoid and solenoid wires coming from the gear case and that darn *** on the spring....the engineer that designed that one needs serious help.... <br /><br />Anyway, sounds your bound and determined to get that thing together, Droll. I think that's great. Let us know if you need some help....<br /><br />Good luck!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

Ditto, also...

 

[Droll]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

Is this the two piece gearcase ?<br /><br />

<br /><br />My gearcase (90hp 1964)<br /><br />

<br />Got my hands of a forward hub + spring ,so they got replaced , also replaced the electric wire and all seal/gaskets .<br />Therefore will this unit work for ....... <br /><br />Got one of those hydro-electrics too (50hp 1971 ) but ..<br /><br />Short story , if I can hold water out and the electric wiring in top shape +use correct oil , it will be usable for years ( did work from 1964 to 1997 (I got it in 1993 ,used it or abused it ??), resurrected in 2004). <br /><br />Am I correct when saying there was 4 versons of this gearcase ?<br />Electric two piece gearcase (small 3")<br />Electric one piece gearcase (small 3")( MY 90hp )<br />Electric one piece gearcase (big 4"+ oilpump)(100hp? )<br />Hydro-electric ,two soenoids +++

 

[mike1234tampa]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

Looks like your doing it right, I had a 1970 85hp, it was hydroelectric, it was a very good engine, had it up to 2 years ago, bought a boat with IO, hated it, back to outboard

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

The gearcase is a manual shift, and yes it is two piece with that removable skeg. The case for your 90, bottom photo is also two piece. The bottom bullet housing the gears, and prop shaft are held to the upper gearcase casting with 2 studs about 7, or 8 inchs long, be sure you put sealer under the two stud washers at the top of the case. Yes! there were 4 different cases. I lumped the 40 twin, and v-4 together as they are identical mechanicly. That's a nice job of cleaning, and polishing on your 90. Show us what it looks like when you get it done.

 

[Droll]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

That's a nice job of cleaning, and polishing on your 90.

Thanks , still some work to do ,the propp are only polished on the camera side here <br /><br />Got some more cleaning on some other part before painting .<br /><br />

be sure you put sealer under the two stud washers at the top of the case.

Why ? can´t see any reason for me to do that , those studs are sealed down in the lower part of the unit ( Loctite ), they are not in contact with the oil , but if it will make you happy I can do it <br />As I can see , these parts needs to be sealed , propp shaft ,drive shaft , electric wire ,those are the only "holes" into the gears .<br />+ between upper/lower part of the unit ( o-ring + sealer )

 

[BillP]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

I had a 1965 75V4 Johnson with electric shift. It would jump in and out of fwd gear but never reverse. The wire insulation was cracked (20 yrs old)and broken off in several sections on the lower unit side. Hi-temp silicone over the wires took care of the problem.<br /><br />I also bought a new 1969 115V4 Johnson that jumped in and out of gear from day one. OMC never got it running right and thought it was the "new" electronics. Lucky for me someone stole the motor and boat while sitting at the repair shop. We found the boat floating without motor a few days later. The crooks didn't know the nightmare they inherited!

 

[R.Johnson]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

Droll: Putting sealer under the washer's was probably just a insurance step to keep corrosion from building up around the studs, It look's like you've got a good handle on how that gearcase works.<br /> BillP: That's what I call justice for who ever stole that engine. It's a wonder they did'nt come back to the same shop for help with the problem! Or did they?

 

[BillP]

Re: Problems and/or advantages electric shift ?

R.Johnson <br />I often wondered if the mechanic stole it just to rid himself of seeing me again!