1977 Stinger 75HP lost neutral stays in reverse?

[Thalweg]

Hello all and thank-you very kindly in advance for any advice you may have to offer:<br /><br />While slowly making my way to a favourite fishing shoal, I decided to pop the shifter into neutral and drift over the spot. I shifted and it stayed in forward gear at idle speed. Not wanting to play with it over 30 ft of rolling water I decided to make way back to the dock to take a closer look.<br /><br />During all of this, there was no grinding noise or any major sound out of the ordinary save for a single "tink" metal sound like a thin shear pin breaking, just before I decided to put it into neutral.<br /><br />Reached the dock..turned engine off and looked. Nothing out of the ordinary. Turned engine back on and it immediately went into reverse as soon as it started.<br /><br />Turned off and on again..same thing this time when I shifted lever forward it accelerated in reverse. And no neutral as well.<br /><br />My gut tells me its a shifter gear or something like that..perhaps a pin that holds the gear in place?<br /><br />Drained oil in lower end unit and there were about 6-8 pieces of very small(about the size of this comma ---> ,) shiny flakey pieces of metal that came out.<br /><br />Because it wasn't a large grindy noise I'm thinking its a pin that holds the gear in place.<br /><br />I know I'm gonna have to find someone to tear down the lower end..but I would like to have some form of knowledge so I don't get burned on a repair.<br /><br />Any advice or feedback greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Fun and Safe boating to all.<br /><br />Regards<br />Thalweg

 

[OBJ]

Re: 1977 Stinger 75HP lost neutral stays in reverse?

Welcome to iboats Thalweg!<br /><br />Indeed there is a pin that holds the clutch dog in place on the prop shaft. But there is also a "spring" around the pin that holds it in place.<br /><br />I think, before I started tearing things apart, I would disconnect the shift cable at the engine and shift the engine manually at the engine. If you have the same results, then most likely the problem is in the gear case. However, if the engine runs normally in forward and reverse, I would suspect a problem with the shift cable or control.<br /><br />How old are the cables and do they have any cracks that you can see in them?

 

[Thalweg]

Re: 1977 Stinger 75HP lost neutral stays in reverse?

Thank-you OBJ for your swift response.<br /><br />After inspecting the cables they appear in good working order. No cracks or abnormal appearance.<br /><br />I will manually shift and report back to you.<br /><br />BTW: I will be searching for cylmer(or suitable facimillie) manual for this engine, however in the mean time are you aware of any inspection plate on this engine that will offer a quick peek inside?<br /><br /><br />Again, thank-you for assistance<br /><br />Thalweg

 

[Walker]

Re: 1977 Stinger 75HP lost neutral stays in reverse?

My bet would be a broken shift cable. They can and will break inside the sheath where you can't see the break. That would explain how you can crank the engine while its in reverse since the neutral safety switch is in the control box. Try shifting the control lever while someone watches the shift linkage on the motor. Motor need not be running for this.

 

[Thalweg]

Re: 1977 Stinger 75HP lost neutral stays in reverse?

Okay..<br /><br />First observed whether the shift cable fully operated the shift lever inside the engine and it does..full operation both forwards and back.<br /><br />Then tried manually and still stuck in reverse, no neutral found. Also looked, during this movement, at the rod that goes down through the main pivot point and it seems to go up and down normally.<br /><br />I have a feeling the shift gear pin has popped and its just spinning freely or something.<br /><br />I will probably have to have the lower end removed for a closer look. <br /><br />If it is the shift gear..can anyone provide estimate ranges on how long this will take and what to expect in terms of cost from a reputable repair shop?<br /><br />Thanks kindly<br />Thalweg

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: 1977 Stinger 75HP lost neutral stays in reverse?

Hi Thalweg,<br /> You have a couple of options...<br /> 1. Find a good shop who can rebuild the unit for you in a reasonable amount of time without giving up first child, bodily limbs, etc. Depending on what it needs it could be anywhere from a $200 to $1000 job. Shop around - ask buddies who own boats where they take theirs for service.<br /> 2. Find a used lower unit. Can be a crap shoot, as you don't know the history of the unit in question. I think '77 was the first year of the purely-mechanical shift, which means it shares units with 3-cylinder OMCs up to about 1984. I've found them on eBay for around $150-$250. Expect to have to replace the waterpump impeller, etc. on the new unit unless you're buying from a shop that has already gone through it. I didn't see any lower units here on iboats for your motor, but it doesn't hurt to ask. <br />- Scott

 

[Thalweg]

Re: 1977 Stinger 75HP lost neutral stays in reverse?

Thank-you Scott.<br /><br />That was the anticpated range.<br /><br />Appreciate all the advice from the board.<br /><br />Good boating and better yet good people!!<br /><br />Thalweg