Leaky featherweight gearbox

[Arbian]

I bought a 1986 featherweight with unsealed box. Gear oil is running (quite a bit) from the water intake slot in upper housing when lain on it's side .... is this normal and if not can someone advise as to the solution? Thanks

[phil]

No not normal, sounds like the pinion gear bush may be badly worn. To check remove top part of lower unit where the impeller is located, grasp square solid shaft coming from gearbox, see if there is noticeable play side to side. If so the bush needs to be replaced, not an easy or pleasant job. If it were me and I had a parts motor with a good bush I would make the switch and fix the bad bush later.
If not there are folks here that can guide you through it.

[Arbian]

Thanks Phil, I have a spare complete box so I will do the check on it and if ok swap or if not try the repair on it first as a guinea pig. I guess I can get a new bush from John.

[headdownarseup]

unfortunately i dont think you can get any new pinion bushes any more. custom made is the way to go. (phosphor bronze round stock and machine to suit)

however, try this. if you have a parts motor to hand that you dont mind "canibilising" for parts. if you can get hold of a 40 plus gearbox use the pinion bush from that (but not the gear obviously)
the bushes themselves are the same size on 40- or 40+ just the gear was different. so if your bush has seen better days, that would be a "messy" option.
i've done this myself on a couple of the smaller gearboxes and it works ok. a bit fiddly and messy but fairly easy, just take your time with it.

of course, if your other gearbox is better, then just use that. just remember that these "featherweight" gearboxes don't have much oil in them to start with, so its probably fair to say that over time and several careless owners!, the chances of getting a box with very good internals are pretty slim, unless you're lucky.

jon