TOPIC: Unsuccesful Boat launch Help

Hello All, Well after working on my 1961 Squallking with a 1963 Johnson Super Sea Horse 40 HP for a month now. It starts and runs good but when I go to put it in Forward the Prop is not turning. It does in Reverse good. Its like something not going into gear all the way. Kinda Baffled here. This Boat has not been in the Water for 20 years but I have Replaced all the seals and a New Inpeller. Its cooling good but no Forward. Thankyou very much in Advance for any help on this matter. Tom.

I'm assuming this is an Electramatic (electric shift) model? If it has a single lever control that operates both throttle and gearshift, then it's an electric shift model. (Both motor and control will have "Electramatic" on them.) These tend to be more troublesome as they age.

There are others on this board who may chime in on what to look for and perhaps give ideas on repair. Otherwise, find a shop that specializes in fixing older Johnson's and Evinrudes. The electric shift was available as an option on many 40 hp and up OMC outboards from 1962-1972, and standard on OMC stern drives until 1977. The Evinrudes had push buttons for shifting control.

one or multiple problems, (not to discourage you), First you need to find out if you have power going to the electron-magnet in the lower unit, then if you have power to the magnet the next likely problem is the tab on the spring/clutch of the magnet in the lower unit for the forward drive magnet (it may have broken off). anouther possibility is a bad magnet for forward gear.

If it is an Electromatic shift, make sure you use Type C oil in the lower unit. If you use the regular stuff, it will slip.

Hello All, This is a up date on my Problem I had with Launching my Boat, and got it in the water. Found out that my Impeller was spinning the wrong way and that I also needed to put in a New Thermostat. Did all that Fired rt on up too. Also Found upon closer Inspection that my Forward Shift Rod was not all the way in. Fixed that too with the Wifes help.(Bad Eyes) So back to the Launch and put her back in and CLICK no Start. Battery Dead. Went out and got a New Deep Cycle Marine Battery another 120.00. Wow shes running like a kitten in heat. Happy Dance. For all those that responded to this Help I Thankyou very much. Tom

Glad you got her all sorted out Tom, hope you have happy boating the rest of the season!

Glad it got resolved this quickly. Have a great season - lots of boating time left.