Re: Johnson 30 HP RD18 gearcase

[Leon]

quote OLCAH:

I am looking at using a gearcase from a 1954 Evinrude 25HP on my 1956 Johnson 30 HP RD18. I notice that at the top of the Evinrude gearcase just below the shaft seal is a bushing that apparently steadies the driveshaft. The bushing is fixed in the 1954 gearcase, no movement. It is part of the gearcase and it has it has no separate part number in the parts list. There is a similar bushing on top of the gearcase for the 1956 Johnson 30 HP but that bushing is not fixed in the case. It is free to rotate and it can move axially below the seal. It has a separate part number 304084. So design changed.

Can I still use the 1954 25 HP gearcase on my 1956 30HP motor?
Why this design change? Was factory trying to equalize wear on the bushing by letting it move? Is wear on that bushing a problem?
Thank you.

Are you in need of a gearcase assembly?