Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Clutch Dog Position

1

1984 Tidecraft

New member
Hello, I have a 1983 Johnson 115 HP V4 motor. I am replacing the clutch dog on it. I noticed the old and new clutch dog have splines groves on the three ears/tabs only on one side of the clutch dog. I did not notice if the ears/tabs with the spline grove faced the forward or reverse gear when I removed the old clutch dog. I looked online and it says it is very important the clutch dog faces the correct way. There were different comments which way the clutch dog should face. My old and new clutch dog has no grove or lettering on them indicating which way it should face. I would appreciate it if someone can tell me for sure if the ears/tabs with the groves should face the forward or reverse gear. Thanks, Richard
 
I live in a rural area in TX and I originally took it to the local boat shop. I have not used/started my boat in about five years. The originally problem was the motor wouldn't turn over. The boat shop found the problem was the lower gear unit was locked up. Somehow water got into the lower unit. The boat shop took off the water pump, the prop, the gear shaft housing, and removed the bearing housing and determined I needed a whole lower gear unit replacement. The cost for the rebuilt lower unit and for labor was more than what I think the boat is worth. Plus, I am retired so I have to watch how much money I spend. I tore into the lower gear unit myself and the main problem I found was the drive shaft would not turn. I got the drive shaft broke loose and everything else looked pretty good except for the bearings, (they were rusted up) which I bought new ones to replace. The old clutch dog didn't look all the bad, but I decided to replace the clutch dog since I had it the lower unit torn apart and since some of the parts for this lower unit are hard to get. I'm not too sure the local boat shop will help me very much since I didn't let them make the repair. Any help someone can give me as to which way the ears/tabs with the spline groves on the clutch dog should face I will really appreciate it. Thanks
 
Post a few pictures of the new clutch dog here.----Final update.----Lugs with no splines face the prop end.----Make sure you install a seal kit.----Make sure you set shift rod to correct dimension.
 
Last edited:
Hello Racerone, I went to take pictures of the new clutch dog, and I found some writing on it showing which end goes towards the propeller. Sorry for not seeing that earlier but thank you for your willingness to help me. Thanks, Richard
 
I did replace the bearing above the pinion gear. The bottom of the driveshaft looks good. I also have a seal kit. I will have to guess at the shift rod dimension because the boat repair shop, I took it to removed it and didn't reinstall it, so I don't know what its dimension was. I read online where it should be 21 27/32" from the top of the lower gear unit housing to the middle of the hole in the shift rod so I was going to give that a try.
 
Back
Top