Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

[Bass_boy7]

Well guys in my last post I picked up a 1969 johnson 115 v4 motor for a great price. After finding out it needed special oil for the gearcase i asked the old owner what he had used, said he had the 90w oil in it and used it once with this oil, so I freaked out and started to tinker with the engine. All the gears work when put into gear when running(on the muffs). I did notice however when the motor is in neutral I tried to spin the prop but it doesn't spin freely it only spins in the direction of the foward gear with a ratcheting motion (cluch dog sound) but it won't spin the other direction in neutral, is this normal for this type of motor or is it bc the wrong fluid is in the gearcase and it won't shift properly into neutral fully until I change the fluid? Any help or insight would be great

 

[info404]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

check it again with the motor off. the prop should spin freely when in neutral. if its clicking when ur turning it then its engaged in the other direction. have someone shift it (with the motor off)from reverse to forward as you spin the prop with ur hand to see if it disengages when in neutral or if an adjustment may be needed. you said when it was running it went in and out of gear fine, what about neutral when it was running? if theres no damage to the gears from the wrong oil, then it should spin freely...04

 

[F_R]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

check it again with the motor off. the prop should spin freely when in neutral. if its clicking when ur turning it then its engaged in the other direction. have someone shift it (with the motor off)from reverse to forward as you spin the prop with ur hand to see if it disengages when in neutral or if an adjustment may be needed. you said when it was running it went in and out of gear fine, what about neutral when it was running? if theres no damage to the gears from the wrong oil, then it should spin freely...04

Wrong!! The Hydro-Electric shift defaults to forward when the motor is not running. That means if you attempt to spin the prop, it is in forward gear and will only turn in forward direction---with that ratcheting sound. It ain't broke.

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

mine makes the same noise! 1970 115 hp evinrude.

Plus it would be impossible to shift this in/out of gear with the motor off.

FR is the man to listen to. That I know first hand.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

oh thank god lol I thought this guy had blown the bottom end up on this beast, thats the best news I could have heard all day, been worrying about it now since I got it home and noticed it. So to verify the bottom ends needs type c oil in it correct?

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

yeppers. quite a bit thinner.

 

[F_R]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

Correct, Type C in an aftermarket brand. If you get the real stuff from an Evinrude dealer, it is called Evinrude/Johnson Premium blend.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

ok great thanks, Im assuming the dealer will want an arm and leg for a quart of it, I really dunno I guess I will have to call and find out, but an aftermarket type c fluid is still ok to use for this motor?

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

well you can't get it at walmart....but its not expensive...

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

I was just wondering bc our local canadian tire has it for $5.00 a bottle where as the dealer wants $10+ so its half the cost, just wondering what the real difference is and what makes it any better

 

[boobie]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

Good oil and good fuel are the two CHEAPEST things you can put in any mtr. Repairing is not so cheap.

 

[bigpoppakdog]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

hm....$7 or so is what comes to mind from our omc dealer.

 

[Bass_boy7]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

you guys have it pretty good then at $7.00, mine wants $10.40 for a bottle, sucks lol but your right good oil= less worry

 

[rayodunne]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

Wrong!! The Hydro-Electric shift defaults to forward when the motor is not running. That means if you attempt to spin the prop, it is in forward gear and will only turn in forward direction---with that ratcheting sound. It ain't broke.

I have 1970 60hp and the prop will not move in either direction while not running. It turns about 1/8th turn in each direction and stops.
I also have 2 1970 115hp and they do as you describe. Spin one direction until click then won't spin back to where they were. So which is normal behavior? Neither of the 115hp run right now so I don't know if they shift right but the 60hp shifts good.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

Both are normal. The V4s have ramped clutch cogs to ratchet. The 3-cylinders did not... Not sure why, but that's what they did...

 

[bktheking]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

you guys have it pretty good then at $7.00, mine wants $10.40 for a bottle, sucks lol but your right good oil= less worry

Mine wants $12, $10.40 is a good price.

 

[rayodunne]

Re: Prop doesn't spin freely in neutral on 1969 johnson 115

Both are normal. The V4s have ramped clutch cogs to ratchet. The 3-cylinders did not... Not sure why, but that's what they did...

Thank you for your reply! Very good information!