TD 20 Lower Unit Lube

[Mumbles]

As a general rule of thumb, if the motor shifts and/or has seals (grease retainers) on the drive and prop shafts, it uses gear oil. If not, a soft grade of grease, such as JD Corn Head, should be used. This grease thins out when worked and will get into all of the bushings and bearings which a thicker grease can’t. The gearcase still has to be drained of water and have the grease replenished regularly though.

Since grease is oil which has had thickeners added to it, the ‘grease’ lettering on the gearcase can be a bit confusing at times. The design of the gearcase dictates whether it uses oil or grease with oil being the preferred lubricant.

https://www.greenpartstore.com/John-Dee … 02562.html

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Attachments:

Johnson TD20 1946-1949 parts manual.pdf

Johnson Seahorse Models TS TD Owners.pdf

[Tubs]

There was a time when there
was no lack light weight grease
packaged for outboard motor
gear cases. As demand dwindled
they were discontinued.
Substitute for these greases are
105 grease & corn head grease.
The performance of lubricants
has really improved over time
so these grease’s are probably
better than those shown below
but back when they were
casting "Grease" on a gear case
you had plenty to chose from.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[cliff]

I know old thread but- I have a 41 TD15 that my Dad bought new. He was a long time machinist and he always used Lubriplate grease in it. He had it in a 5 gallon pail that was as old as I was 🙂 I remember him stirring it up to mix the oil on top with the white base and then using a screw type grease gun to push it in.

[boats63]

I’ve been useing marine grade bearing grease in all mt mercs for years(shifting&nonshiftine) never had a failure and my mark55 has shifted fine for years and gets a grease change once a year.

[Tubs]

Wheel bearing grease is not a good choice as
it doesn’t get warm enough to flow through
bearings and especially bushings early in
the early motors as the gear case is cooled
by the water.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[dave-bernard]

I still have a tube ok that !

[shane-r13]

where do i put the grease/oil in a TD-20?

[shane-r13]

Never mind, I found it in a service PDF someone had above.

[Tubs]

quote Dave Bernard:

I still have a tube ok that !

I only have a Picture.

A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

[dave-bernard]

Yep that is it.

[Author]

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