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Mid '60's Johnson/e'rude shift problem

doodah1

doodah1

New member
I have a 33HP - 2cylinder Johnson-RXEL-16R- on a 31' X 12' shop made (early 70's) barge. Original motor is 1968 vintage.
Lower gear housing, complete; was replaced many years ago. I don't remember the hp or year of the donor.
But it worked well.
First outing this year, motor died while idling in gear. Wouldn't shift into neutral from the remote station.
Motor won't start in gear. Had to (with some force) shift at the motor.
Pulled the motor and drained the oil. The first few ounces were "milkey" but remainder was okay.
With lower gear case on work bench, I could make it shift with the shift rod. All components look good.
Prop shaft turns smoothly with no looseness. The only parts that show some wear, were the shifting lever and cradle.
Remote station and shift cable work smoothly when dis-connected from motor.

IF I need to replace the clutch cradle. -- The image of the cradle on the web site is different than the existing.
And image for shift lever is a drawing. Johnson/Evinrude apparently used 2 different but similar designs. But the 2 parts have to match.
Are the sets interchangeable?

Any guidance appreciated.
Tried to post a pic. but that failed.
 
Not necessarily. I guess you don't know what the replacement unit came off of, right? Does the prop shaft have a plastic slide-on nut or a screw-on metal nut?
 
It has a slide on nut.
existing.2.jpg
 
Check for end play on the gears and gear lash with the pinion. These are precision machined gear sets look for excessive wear on the clutch dog and gears . Look close at the bushings and thrust washer. the fork should snap into the cradle and fit snugly into the clutch dog. When the motor is stopped you must turn the prop to shift into gear but it should shift easily out of gear when you return the throttle to slow. How tight were the coupler bolts between the upper and lower shift shaft most shifting issues are due to the coupler improperly installed it will also cause excessive wear on the cradle when not installed properly. That gearbox has not changed much throughout the years from 33hp - 40hp
 
From the Marine Engine web page, the clutch cradle image -0305286-looks like mine.
But the drawing of shift lever - 0305288- appears to look like one in this '57 - 35HP 'rude. ??
Due to the method of connecting the 2 parts, I know the 2 different design types can't be mixed.
Would the '57 set be interchangeable with mine? I know the dog on '57 is free floating, and is spring loaded on mine.
I've swapped them, and they appear to fit/work on the bench - BUT? Clearance between lever and gears might be a little closer.
The shift connector screws were very tight. I've inspected gears/spacers/bearings/etc. The only questionable part is the prop end bearing (other replaced a coup
years ago during re-sealing). bearings roll fine, but race is free to spin in housing. I'll replace it.

'57 - 35hp.jpg
 
kimcrwbr1, Are you referring to the image I posted today? Or the previous one?
The early one is the gear case I'm having a problem with.
Thanks for your input.
 
Your question is unclear what exactly are you looking for? I do not think the older 1957 gear set will work in the later gearbox. The spring and detent bearings are just to hold the clutch dog in neutral. How wide is the cradles you may be able to mix and match just put it together and see how well it shifts IDK.
 
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