Yes. If the tank is the original OMC steel can with the coupling not only at the motor but a second coupling down on the tank there could be a defective vent causing pressure to build up if the sun hits the fuel tank. As you can notice there are two stainless pins that are depressed when you clip the coupling to the tank. One of the pins opens a little vent right next to it and the other pin opens up the fuel flow to allow passage into the line. If these are operating properly then there is no need to crack open the fuel cap. If the tank/can is sitting out in the sun and the fuel line has been disconnected at the fuel tank then it will build pressure because the pins are not depressed. It is a beautiful system and trouble-free for many many years up until ethanol has started to damage the o-rings where those little pins move in and out. There are kits available to replace those old rings and the seat on the pins in order to recondition the coupling.
Thanks Tim! Everything is original on this motor, except the paint. Because of where we live, I must store my boat at a storage lot. It is kind of in the shade, plus it always as a rain cover on it. Do you happen to know a number of the kit to replace the rings. If I call Tim's Outboard, would they know what I am. talking about?
I had a friend over last Friday and we had to things I wanted to get done. On was replacing the gaskets between the motor and the lover shell and the shell and the lower unit. We got all the bolts and nuts off but could not get the motor loose from the shell. I then remembered why. About 15 years ago, I had to replace the crankshaft. I am sure that when we put it back together we used some type of gasket seal on those gaskets and they were not going to let go. It did assure me that they were not leaking anything as all was clean in that area. I am going with your suggestion and get the gas tank repair kit.
The second issue I wanted to correct was replacing the missing piece that sits on top of the flywheel that catches the recoil levers to start the motor by hand. I think it was the same event (replacing the crankshaft) where I forgot to put that piece back on during reassembly. To make matters worse, it has been lost over time. I ordered a replacement from Tim's Outboard. He had trouble finding one but did find one at a premium $54.00 price! Anyway, we took the recoil off and discovered some damage on the under side. I am going to attempt to add a couple of photos. The pieces of metal that hold the pieces that spring out during operation were worn down on one end only. Even the heads of the screws were worn off. You can see a shiny ring on the top of the flywheel where it must have been rubbing. It was very slight as I do not recall hearing any scraping noise. The result it the pieces that are supposed to pop out during the recoil operation do not. In your stash, might you have parts that would work for this? I will be more than happy to pay for them. Basically I need the metal covers and the inside pieces. Again, this is for a 1960 40 hp Johnson.
Sorry this got long, but as you know, when you try to fix one thing, something else always shows up.
