1973 .. 85hp shift probs

[dutch420]

Hi guys new here names steve... I have an 73 85 hp chrysler outboard. Been putting a boat together i have replaced a few parts from my 70hp. Now my problem is when i connected my shifter and cables (from another motor) i have found the gear selection is way off.. Even some times does not go in. Sometimes i can put it in gear forward or reverse and spin the prop freely and other times not. How do i adjust the cables or gear.. Also there is a screw on my lower unit that was knocked out when cleaning. Corrosion i assume but regardless it was removed and i retapped the hole for a bigger screw.. What is it for.. But more important is that screw my problem..(its just below the big filler screw labled vent..

 

[emoney]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Ummm....those two problems may be linked together. First things first, post a picture of the "screw that fell out". Was that screw on the "bulb portion" of the lower unit? If it is and on the same side as the vent screw, then odds are you've removed the screw at the shift linkage. Not sure what you've done now that you re-tapped that hole, but that screw held the shift linkage into the shift cam (assuming that's the screw, of course) which would mean you are no longer shifting the LU into either gear.

Pictures tell a thousand words, so if you don't have one, open a Photobucket account and get one up. This one will be interesting, to say the least. Good luck and welcome to iboats.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs



If you removed the screw in the first pic???You got troubles!!!
The second pic is the drain screw.

1st pic is the shift anchor pin.
If it's been removed the linkage inside is floating free and it needs to be taken apart and fixed.
BUMMMMMER!

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Hi guys thanks for the swift reply.. No i did not remove that screw jerry and emoney thanks for the pics.. The screw that i had the repair is juust below the top filler screw for the lower unit ... Pic supplied.. I am wondering if my gear problems are the cables not adjusted right.. Cables came from a 1971 70hp .. If so how do i adjust the properly..

http://m1069.photobucket.com/albumview/albums/dutch4201/9elaeede.jpg.html?0=1

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Sorry guys when u click on the link u will have to click on dutch420

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Ok sorry guys i need even more help.lol... The link wont work and i cant post photos

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Pic here.. Bolt is small one juat below the top filler screw.. Forgot to highlight it..lol

 

[emoney]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Have you confirmed it's a cable problem by trying to shift it at the motor, bypassing the cable?

If it does, in fact, shift normally without using the cable, then you'll need to post pics of your controls & cable.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs



I have never seen a bolt there before. I don't know what it is but it looks like the hole enters the oil chamber. SO: I would put a gasket under it to be sure. It should not be the cause of your shift problems.

However, check the distributor belt tension: Too much tension can cause erratic shifting or failure to either shift into gear or out of gear.

IF the cables are too short, that will cause shift problems. They should be long enough that a 2 foot loop is in the splashwell. The cable should be secures at the groove in the stainless collar.

Typically, you remove the cotter and pin, and separate the upper and lower shift rods just below the transom clamps. Then you scew in the lower rod all the way and back it out only enough so the holes line up. Attach again and adjust with the two nuts under the bottom carb. DOWN increases forward gear engagement and up increases reverse. Understand: When you put the engine in forward gear and spin the prop to check engagement, you must spin the prop backward to have the drive dogs engage. Drive dogs are tapered and if you spin the prop forward, they will ride up over each other and rachet. If they do this, then you still need to put in a little more down.

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

I have tryed bypassing the cable.. It does go in. Then u try again and it wont its weird.. Not to sure whats up. Any suggestions would be great. I know everything is moving . Im wondering if maybe old oil in gea case... Motor sat for years. Was well taken care of when i got it. There is no weird noises in the lower unit. But seems to catch on the edge of the gear sometimes when u spin the prop by hand..... Any ideas of what that screw is for thanks guys ur a big help

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs



Also be certain that the shift cable is correctly secured in the control box case with the fiber board over it.

 

[emoney]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

If the problem is repeating itself at the motor, without using the cable, then you've narrowed it down to "not" being a cable issue at least. Have you dropped the lower unit at all? Checked the LU fluid? Is it milky? Time to drain it and inspect. And, if the motor has been sitting any length of time, you need to drop the LU anyway and replace, at the very least, the water pump impeller.

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Wow i get frank too.. Feom what the people say ur the chrysler god.lol.. Ok so now that u bring up the gear adjustment. It jogs my memory a bit... When i bought this motor it had beeen rebuilt at one point... Now the rod that runs down the leg of the motor was tight on the bracket on the motor compartment.. But the bolt that is on the pivit. To allow the rod to move up and down was loose.. I tightened in. And never thought i could have changed the movement in the gear case.. Thanks frank for me memory jog.. I am not sure if u understand what i mean but i will post a pic of the bracket when i get done work. Thanks again to everyone thats giving me help

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Very good point emoney. Glad i got experts looking out for me lol.. I will drain the lower unit.. Is there a special way to remove it

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Ok guys have an update ....... As per emoney suggestion i drained the lower unit..... I got a lil bit of water and some nasty gear oil out of the old girl but no metal shavings or forein objects .. Now after the oil was drained i lost all gear shifting abilty but gained it back slowly after i put about a liter of gear oil in. I readjusted the shifter linkage like frank had stated and i get gears approx 6 out of 10 times.. So im wondering if having her running will help free up and lubracate the lower unit.. So i have done some reading on static timing. But am not to sure i have it figured out yet but am willing to give it a try. I have two marks on my flywheel.... 3/6 and /0. I will post a pic of the flywheel and distributer as well as the id plate. Thanks guys u have been a big help

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs



OK, Steve. Zero (0) is only used to set the block pointer and distributor to top dead center. The line , not the 0 is the top dead center mark. So, you first find actual top dead center by either using the special tool or a screwdriver or probe of some sort. Probe through the top spark plug hole and turn the flywheel until the piston is at the top of its movement. Take your time and be fussy here.

Now, go to the front of the engine above the top carb and set the long line on the pointer to the 0 line on the flywheel by loosening the screws and sliding the pointer.

At the distributor, loosen the two mounting bolts, swing the distributor in, and set the pulley so that the curved line follows the curve of the flywheel and the straight line points directly at it. This will take a bit of skill as the pulley will move when you pull out on the distributor mount to tighten the belt.

Set belt tension: A .010 feeler gauge when pointed to the center of the belt should deflect the belt about 1/8 to 3/16 inch before bending. If the distributor belt is too tight, the engine WILL have shifting problems.

Now the pointer and the distributor are both set to top dead center with the #1 piston at top dead center. The zero mark has done its job and is no longer important.

Push the control handle to wide open throttle--as far as it will go. Remove the propeller for safety and remove and ground all three sparkplugs. With the ignition key on, slowly rotate the flywheel by hand in a clockwise direction (looking down)until the #1 plug sparks. Adjust the screw between the two black plastic pieces on the distributor until the spark is at 32 degrees before top dead center. You can also use 30 degrees if you want to be safer.

The line between the 3 and 6 is the 36 degree line. To adjust spark timing, adjust the distributor until the 36 line is four small lines to the left of the long line on the pointer. The flywheel in the third photo has a decal and only a single line on the pointer. You can see that the 32 degree mark is set at the line on the pointer.

 

[dutch420]

Re: 1973 .. 85hp shift probs

Ok great thanks frank .. I will give it a try and take pics with info for the next guy like me that needs the info. Will keep ya guys posted