Stuck 0172908 tilt assist cylinder on 1979-1987 40,50,55, 60

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Klink

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I picked up two parts motors with blown power heads both Johnson 40hp, a J40ELCR 1984 , and a J40ELCO 1985, I'm looking to get a good lower unit from them for my neighbors 60hp 1983 E60ELCTB. I took the head and the gearcase off the 1985 and placed the midsection on an engine stand and I can't get the midsection to trim down. It looks like the tilt assist cylinder is stuck in the up position. I researched online and all I find is a lot of discussion about problems with tilt assist cylinders on the newer models after 1988, which is a different system. The 0172908 tilt assist cylinder on my engines looks like the attached picture. Any suggestions how I can fix the problem?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

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boobie

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As a guess I'd say it's pneumatic. As long as it's frozen I'd say try to take it apart.
 
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Klink

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boobie said:
What did you find out ??
Click to expand...

Sorry for the delay in replying, I can't get iboats forum to notify me by email of responses.

The tilt assist cylinder and practically everything that allows you to get to it and to take it off are all frozen. I'm cutting and unscrewing my way to it. Will have it off today and then take it apart
 
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Klink

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The cylinder is off, had to cut both pins holding it, both were frozen. The cap has two flat areas likely to unscrew it off. Put it on a vise but no go. I hit it with a punch, but no go. So stuck it in a tub of WD40 and a special Slick 50 type of oil mix.

The cylinder has a ball valve looking hole on the bottom, can anyone tell me what it is for?
 
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Klink

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The cylinder was in WD40 since my last posting June 5th. Today I took it out and it is as hard as it always was. I really didn't expect any change as the cylinder should be sealed from any outside intrusion.

I put a rebar on the wide rod end hole and a bolt on the narrow cylinder body hole and used a hydraulic floor jack to pull the shaft out (it was stuck in the in position) and it came up, then I hammered it back down. I did this like 15 times till it was soft to move. Holding the big rod end hole with the rebar through it and my feet holding both ends of the rebar, and a bolt in the cylinder body hole, I was able to then push and pull the cylinder shaft in and out by hand. I suppose if it was on the engine now it would only serve to keep the engine from dropping down hard, but it''ll also make it harder to pickup the engine. Being as this is called a tilt assist cylinder, I assume that if it was working right, the normal position of the cylinder shaft would be out, that is up, as in the picture in the OP. This cylinder has no position, It appears to me to have lost it's pneumatics.

Since I have never seen one of these in use, I ask others to please let me know if I am right.
 
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racerone

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Where did the part # on this cylinder come from.----Listed under what model motor ??
 
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Klink

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To wrap up this thread I found that the cylinder is a gas spring and it can't be fixed, read below. So, I will go without it, since it costs like $380, and it is less work to just buy a CMC PT-130 self contained hydraulic/electric tilt and trim if someone can't handle the manual tilting. My neighbor is young and should be able.

https://www.industrialgassprings.com/gas-struts-and-gas-shocks/


Differences Between Gas Struts, Shocks, and Springs

Gas springs are sometimes referred to as gas struts, gas props, or gas lifts depending on the industry and application. Gas springs or gas struts are frequently used to support or counterbalance moving masses.
Damped gas springs are also referred to as gas shocks or gas dampers depending on the industry and application. Damped gas springs are used to support moving masses while controlling the system’s motion.


Gas Spring Service & Repair Recommendations

Gas springs are self-contained units that require no periodic maintenance or service beyond being kept clean and dry. Lubrication of the spring is internal and no external lubrication is required. Repair of gas springs is not possible as loss of force is caused by main seal damage and gas springs should be replaced.

Under no circumstances should gas springs that have lost force due to wear or damage be recharged as this presents a possible dangerous situation.
 
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