Some basic questions - 1978 Johnson

[C-worthy]

I picked up a 1978 Johnson 6 hp for my old aluminum boat last week. It just needed new spark plugs and fuel hoses to start and run great. I have a few problems I hope someone can help me with though.

1). Water was spraying from the exhaust hole halfway between the prop and the power head. Water didn't seem to be making it up to the power head at all. Is there a hose or seal inside that needs replacing? How hard is that to fix? I suppose I should get a factory service manual for it right away.

2). It's a long shaft motor and I'd like to shorten it. Is it a nightmare to convert to a short shaft or easy? Is the process covered in the factory service manual?

3). The motor seems to rely on friction to hold it in the tilted-up position. I'd like to make it tilt up real easy if it bumps a log or rock but sometimes I want to raise it out of the water and have it stay up. The Mercury I'm used to tilts real easy and has a latch to hold it up. Is the Johnson supposed to have a latch or can a latch be added to hold it up?


Thanks!

Brian

 

[p1k3]

Re: Some basic questions - 1978 Johnson

1. It might be anything from the impeller (in the water pump) to a clogged or loose water tube inside. Most likely the impeller needs to be changed. Get the manual and do it!

2. You would need (at least) a shorter drivechaft and geararm (expensive if new).

3. It should have a latch?! Mine doesn?t work, so I use a piece of wood to keep it up permanently (I have a sailboat). No biggie.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Some basic questions - 1978 Johnson

that is the exhaust relief port, water is suppose to come out there. it is easier and cheaper to build a mini jack plate. some of them have a lever you can flip to keep them up.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Some basic questions - 1978 Johnson

You need to tilt the motor all the way up and tighten the nut on the starboard side of the tilting bolt until the engine will stay there but still allow you to lower it with a small amount of pressure.

There is a spring behind the nut and washer.