Reply To: 1957 Johnson –White throttle/tiller handle difficult to turn

[LARRY CATON]

Problem solved.  I got a helper to support the handle on a 4×4 post while I more vigorously struck the impact tool.  I’d been repeatedly applying penetrating oil to the screw and trying to get some under the handle too.  Letting it soak in overnight helped, and eventually I got the screw out.

At first I thought the friction was limited to the handle because it was stiff with the control tower disconnected.  Once I got the handle loosened up, I could feel resistance where the armature plate rides on the brass ring.  This motor literally sat in a barn for over 20 years, and the grease up in there had dried out.  I gave it a liberal soaking spray with WD-40, and was able to get some fresh marine grease up in there.

After much twisting of the throttle handle, the friction reduced to acceptable.

A bonus of removing the handle was compressing the shift position indicator ring (slow, start, fast, etc.) so it stayed up against the stops on the underside of the handle.

Hope this helps somebody else with a similar predicament.  Don’t think I ever would’ve got that screw out without a helper keeping the handle with the screw facing upwards, and holding a support underneath.  I might’ve got it if I’d removed the handle completely, but this motor already has a hairline crack near the pivot point and I didn’t want to use the impact tool close to it.

 

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