Logo

Johnson 30 power head removal

Charles Barnett

New member
Pulling the powerhead off a Johnson 30 hp tiller handle J30reude. I have all of it unbolted and took it apart as the manual said, but it still will not lift. Do I need to take out the lower to get the splineshaft out of it? I’m trying to do as little dismantling as possible. I have to replace the steering bracket due to a limb falling on it during a hurricane we had.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3420.png
    IMG_3420.png
    793.8 KB · Views: 51
  • IMG_3418.jpeg
    IMG_3418.jpeg
    706.7 KB · Views: 82
It is possible that the driveshaft spline is jammed in the crankshaft spline, due to rust.-----Remove lower unit and see if it pulls down.----Good time to replace water pump impeller for maintenance.----How many nuts / bolts were removed for powerhead?
 
Hopefully you can find that bracket used for about $50 or less used.-----I sure would not pay that price in the first picture.
 
It is possible that the driveshaft spline is jammed in the crankshaft spline, due to rust.-----Remove lower unit and see if it pulls down.----Good time to replace water pump impeller for maintenance.----How many nuts / bolts were removed for powerhead?
Four bolts from the bottom of the powerhead and two nuts .
 
The things that will stick you up are rusty splines in the drive shaft (you really hope this isn't the problem).
The gasket being stuck in place.
The water tube grommet being sticky.
If you've never had the lower unit off it might be a good idea to pull that now and confirm it isn't the drive shaft, if you really go to town prying on that you'll break the water pump housing.
 
Water pump housings are cheap , a sacrificial part.-----If lower unit is off , and driveshaft is still stuck then a slide hammer ( and adapter ) is your friend.
 
I took the lower off and the spine looks good. I’m gonna redo the water pump, housing and impeller while I’m in there, but I still cannot seem to rock this power head loose with my hands. I’ve got everything unfolded that my repair manual said . Do you normally have to have a lifter to get the power head off?
 
To properly change the base gasket on that motor you have to remove the exhaust tube. BE REALLY CAREFUL WITH THOSE BOLTS. They're a little 1/4-20 made out of cheese and like to break off. Go slow on them.
 
I have an update. I have everything taken apart. I broke two bolts on the lower engine cover got one of them out working on the other one doing an old welders trick. got the power head off by praying it with a small piece of one by four as a fulcrum point on the front of the motor.
 
To properly change the base gasket on that motor you have to remove the exhaust tube. BE REALLY CAREFUL WITH THOSE BOLTS. They're a little 1/4-20 made out of cheese and like to break off. Go slow on them.
I learned that with The bolt on the lower cover I’m gonna do my best not to break them
 
Yes, I did. However, you could have took a nut off the front that had a very small access hole to it . I didn’t see it until I had everything taken apart, but it would’ve been a bear to get off like that plus all the weight you had to deal with working by yourself.
 
Racer one you’re right looking at it now I didn’t have to do all that
Yes, I did. However, you could have took a nut off the front that had a very small access hole to it . I didn’t see it until I had everything taken apart, but it would’ve been a bear to get off like that plus all the weight you had to deal with working by yourself.
I found out the same way too. Waiting on parts and putting together what I can.
 
It won’t seem to let me take pictures of it, but I’ve got the steering bracket back on and I’ve cleaned up the gasket surfaces for the midsection and lower. I didn’t take the exhaust housing off. I’m just gonna cut around the gasket. I don’t wanna take a chance on breaking any bolts and it looks like it’s pretty gnarly I cleaned it up and the bolts don’t look good.
 
Back
Top