1970 sportsman 155

[Kylineman]

I used the search function but couldn't really find what I was looking for. I have a 1970 evinrude sportsman 155 in amazing condition. It really does look like a new boat, the gel coating is in amazing condition. However it has the Omc electric shift out drive and we all know the reputation these things have. A bearing recently went out of the upper gear box and luckily I found another gearbox for 75 bucks. I swapped them out and filed it with oil.
Now here is the problem. With the out drive in gear you can turn the prop which in return will turn the gear box and the engine. However if I start the engine and shift into gear there is a loud CLUNK and in return it will kill the engine and jerk the steering will . Obviously something isn't right. Any ideas of what it could be?

 

[VE8EV]

Maybe a wiring problem? Sounds like forward and reverse could be engaging at the same time. Check if you have electrical continuity between the two shift wires (there shouldn't be any).

 

[Kylineman]

Maybe a wiring problem? Sounds like forward and reverse could be engaging at the same time. Check if you have electrical continuity between the two shift wires (there shouldn't be any).

I will check it for sure. I did have to unhook the wires to drop the gearbox. I may have hooked the up backwards.

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard:

Reversing the shift cables on the electric shift will just make you confused when you go to drive the boat (it literally just works backwards). It shouldn't cause it to stop. How are you putting the drive in gear without starting the engine? You can't do that without energizing the coil.

On an electric shift if it will idle, then you're most likely doing fine down to the lower gear case. If you're shifting into gear, and the thing bangs and dies ... you've got a screwed up lower unit. Could be few things, but a bad coil or bad gear is the fastest guess.

 

[Kylineman]

Welcome aboard:

Reversing the shift cables on the electric shift will just make you confused when you go to drive the boat (it literally just works backwards). It shouldn't cause it to stop. How are you putting the drive in gear without starting the engine? You can't do that without energizing the coil.

On an electric shift if it will idle, then you're most likely doing fine down to the lower gear case. If you're shifting into gear, and the thing bangs and dies ... you've got a screwed up lower unit. Could be few things, but a bad coil or bad gear is the fastest guess.

Turn the key on and push the shift button. It goes in gear.

 

[southkogs]

^^^ oh, well sorta' I guess.

When start the engine it'll idle just fine, right? Then when you put it into gear, it bangs and shuts off, correct? Both forward and reverse?

 

[Kylineman]

That's right it will idle perfect. But as soon as you shift it into forward or reverse it happens.

 

[southkogs]

Take a read through THIS topic. I dealt with the same thing in my lower a few years ago (early on when I was clueless to the Stringer). It wound up being a chewed up gear set in mine, and I just found a replacement lower (easier and cheaper than fixing it for me).

The tests on the coils in there - and making sure you've got Type C in the lower unit - should be good tests to start with.

How does the lube in the lower unit look? Lotsa' metal?

 

[Kylineman]

Take a read through THIS topic. I dealt with the same thing in my lower a few years ago (early on when I was clueless to the Stringer). It wound up being a chewed up gear set in mine, and I just found a replacement lower (easier and cheaper than fixing it for me).

The tests on the coils in there - and making sure you've got Type C in the lower unit - should be good tests to start with.

How does the lube in the lower unit look? Lotsa' metal?

We drained the lower unit and the oil looked fine no metal. We put type c oil back in the lower unit. I will check the coils. Thanks for all your help I'll let you know what I find.

 

[southkogs]

Good luck with it. Some of those old OMC boats are pretty cool ... If I found a Surfer in the right condition, I might even tempt fate with another electric shift! :crazy:

 

[Kylineman]

I checked the voltage on the two wires going to the lower unit and they both have voltage on them. I also unhooked one and the wires between the broken connection and the lower unit still had voltage. So I assume I need to check them and make sure they aren't pinched and bleeding over . If the wires are not pinched does that mean I have a solenoid bad?

 

[VE8EV]

The two wires are shorted together somewhere. Disconnect both wires at the drive and check the controls side to see if both wires get voltage to ground when you put it in gear. It should be one wire gets voltage for forward and the other wire for reverse. If they both get voltage at the same time check your shift switch and wiring. If they test good then you've got a short between the two wires in the drive somewhere (seems unlikely though).