Reply To: Intermittently stuck motor

[Bob Wight]

The ratcheting feeling you describe could very well be a lower unit problem. I’d stop wrenching on the crankshaft and as the others noted, pull the lower unit off – you should then know pretty quickly if the problem is the lower unit or the powerhead. I recently picked up a used lower unit that had the same ratcheting sensation – it would turn freely for a bit, then bind up. Found a bad pinion gear.

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1957 Evinrude 3022
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20
1982 Evinrude 25hp

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."