Re: 1962 Johnson Fisherman (5.5) gearcase

[Mumbles]

Chances are the internal spring isn’t broken at all but has just sprung a bit from the prop hitting something hard in its life. The shock absorber has done the job it was designed to do and protected the rest of the drivetrain from any damage. Pounding, squeezing or compressing it somehow back to 6 11/16" or less should give it another 50+ years of service life or at least until the prop hits something hard again. 😉