Logo

Remove Power Head 1961 Johnson FD15F Engine

I need to remove the power head to replace the crank. I'm stumped. I removed the easily 6 small bolts on the underside of the engine. Something else is holding it. It appears there is a philips head on the forward side of the engine that is inaccessible without removing the tiller swivel. Am I missing something? I tried to remove the swivel by disconnecting the upper and lower rubber shock absorbers. Can't remove it. Something is holding it. Help. How do I do this? Thanks for the help. Can't believe it's this hard.
 
You are right it is easy.----No philips head screw needs to be removed.------Look for a nut around the base of the block.-----1/2" wrench required maybe.------And no you do not have to fiddle with rubber mounts / or the tiller swivel.-----Some also have a hidden bolt .----If it is not a nut on the block it will be a bolt from the bottom.----Then again it may be gasket cement holding it.---Or the driveshaft is rusted solid in the crankshaft.-----Remove lower unit first.-----If you are still struggling I can go have a look at one of these motors later today !----Where did you find a crankshaft / connecting rods ?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the quick reply. I attached a picture of a nut on the front side of the engine. It's hard to see, but wanted to be sure it's the right thing.

I found a used crank on ebay. The keyway slot on my engine was damaged and need to replace the crank so my key way is solid. Have no plans on dealing with the connecting rods or pistons. The engine has very few hours. I will replace the seals though. Thanks again.
 
Sorry. For some reason I can't attach my jpg picture. I'll try describe it. If you look between the tiller swivel and the lower cover piece, you'll see a nut probably 9/16 or 5/8 that is attached vertically. It seems to be attached to the lower end tube. On the marineengine.com diagram it is part 32. Doesn't seem to attach to the power head.

I haven't pulled the lower end yet. I did about a month ago to replace the raw water impeller and the drive shaft easily pulled out of the power head. My issue could simply be the head is sticking to the gaskets.
 
There are screws from the bottom.----one near the front.-----No bolts or nuts to do with the swivel need to be taken out.
 
There are screws from the bottom.----one near the front.-----No bolts or nuts to do with the swivel need to be taken out.----That part #32 has nothing to do with taking the power head off.-----You do understand that the flywheel key positions the flywheel for correct timing of the points.-----The flywheel is driven by the locking tapers.----That is if the tapers are matched and not damaged.-----Any pictures of keyway damage ??
 
There is a phillips head screw at the very front of the power head. The problem is I can't get to it without removing the swivel. I can barely see it but I can see someone had trouble removing it in the past because the phillips grooves on the head have a little damage. It looks like it can be easily removed with vice grips, but if I'm not mistaken I'll have to remove the swivel. Can't believe it was designed that way. That's why I'm asking for help. I've removed the power heads on 2 of my 9.9 hp engines. Very simple, take the lower bolts out and pull it up.

I understand completely the purpose if the key. The key sheared off when the engine backfired. The remaining portion was flush with the shaft. I had trouble removing Taht sheared portion. In doing so I damaged the groove. That's why I'm replacing it. I just need to get the power head off.
 
It was designed to be taken off easily.---They were designed to be repaired without special tools or procedures.-----Wonderful motors.-----I have no idea why you are struggling here.----Good luck with it.
 
I agree with racerone's last comment about the Johnson and Evinrude outboards. I've owned 5 and they all have been wonderful. Everything on this engine has been straight forward but removing the power head. But I've finally uncovered the mystery. You do have to remove the tiller swivel to access the last Power head bolt holding down the front of the assembly. I still can't attach jpg pictures but I'll describe the process using the parts diagram provided in MarineEngine.com. To start, remove the lower rubber shock assemblies (within part 21) and the nuts for the upper rubber rubber shock supports (part 12). The tiller assembly is now somewhat loose, but you can't remove it; it's being restrained by part 33 another rubber support. To disconnect that, loosen nut (part 32) with a 9/16 socket. The support threads is on a slot so it will easily pull out downward. The tiller swivel can now be removed. With it removed, you'll see the front power head bolt with very easy access. It's a Phillips headed machine screw on my engine but it's clear it had removed previously so it may have been substituted for a normal headed bolt. It's not hard to do if you know it's needed to be done.
 
You do not have to remove the tiller swivel !!----That is if bolts are factory original.------Done the job many times.----Did 2 motors last fall.
 
I don't know why you had so much grief removing that powerhead. But you are correct, there IS a #3 Phillips head screw up in there (later models change the Phillips to a special small hex head screw, but the procedure is the same). And racer is correct, none of the swivel bracket stuff needs to be removed or messed with. The Phillips screw IS accessible with an ordinary screwdriver. I've had too many of those things apart to count.
 
Thanks for the feedback. It's been very helpful. As I look at it now, I may have been able to remove the Phillips screw with a screw with driver but with screw's head groves distressed I thought I would probably need to remove it with vice grips. I should have tried. If I could have removed it, I would have probably replaced it with a normal hex bolt. Anyway, I got it out but do really appreciate everyone's feedback. Thanks again.
 
Back
Top