1989 force 50 jumping

[joeywafr]

I have a 1989 force 50 hp outboard and when you get going across the water it like something in the foot is jumping maybe the linkage isn't right don't know I took the foot apart to see if a bearing or gear is bad but everything looks good any help on this

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: help

Re: help

"jUMPING" is usually a sign of worn drive dogs on the forward gear and dog clutch. There are three dogs on each gear and three dogs on each side of the sliding dog clutch. If the dogs look in good condition with square edges, then you did not have the linkage adjusted correctly. If the edges of the drive dogs are rounded, there is the problem. You can buy a new lower unit, buy a gear pak, or you can re-dress the edges square with a carbide bit (straight, about 11 bucks) and a Dremel.

 

[wickware]

Re: help

Re: help

Two suggestions: Descriptive titles might attract more replies (I feel most question what they open).

1. 1989 force 50 hp outboard: Maybe something in the foot is jumping??

2. Add pics if possible, of any questioned areas and something might be spotted or generate more inspections

Good Luck!

 

[wickware]

Re: 1989 force 50 jumping

I feel Frank has made some good points. We experienced this once and had no idea of a fix or experience and paid good Bucks in the 80s for the repair. My question is: Can a dog receive enough damage from one incident to cause the jumping or is it usually wear from a period of time or lack of adjustment??

Such as: My Father-In-Law accelerated vs decelerating loading about a 75 HP Etc and ran onto the trailer and back off into the lake. We noticed the jumping afterward and it might have been a 300.00 bill for the repair. I also learned not to move toward the wench until the boat is basically trailored or needs winching to load

We had auto skills but were new to outboards, lived and worked long distance which always cost me until I started servicing my 1970 35 HP Chrysler in 1984. The Monster 35 HP has never needed anything other than routine or minor yearly maintenance

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1989 force 50 jumping

The drive dogs are really only about 3/16 inch high. However, when fully engaged they would not be affected by acceleration and deceleration.

Typically they wear by good intentioned people trying to "Ease" the lower unit into gear, thinking they are preserving its life. Not true: Easing into gear rattles the dogs against each other, knocking off the sharp edges, and rounding the mating surfaces. Typically though you normally will not see a problem until there is not enough flat surface to hold the dogs mated under full throttle. Then, the damage progresses to the point where dogs will not stay engaged with almost any application of partial throttle.

The control handle should be snapped rather quickly into gear, but not so far that the engine accelerates. Since drive dogs are positive engagement clutches, a noticable clunk should be heard when engaging the gears. However, the engine neutral RPM should not be so high that the dogs clash as this is tough on bot drive dogs and gear teeth.

Accelerating improperly while loading/unloading a boat will put undue stress on the components and could cause premature wear/ shortened service life.

If metal particles are seen in the lower unit oil during a change, then it is time to open it up and check the gear teeth and drive dogs for damage.

 

[wickware]

Re: 1989 force 50 jumping

Thanks For The Very Good Info Frank!! I?m not challenging but tell me or show me this type of explanation in a Manual. To be honest, at this point (of my fishing) I would pull and dress the dogs (for the experience) or use a donor L/U (with good history and good oil w/o metal indications).

With the drought in North TX, Slow To No Luck and using my 35HP for fishing only I have a challenge. I/We spent 300.00 in 3 trips w/o a good keeper last season. I have promised my partner for the last 6 yrs it?s time to retire the boat but not the fishing. We have caught more than our share +. ?Our New Bodies? Are Liabilities with Gardens, ?Working Firewood? and Other Projects vs The Boat. LOL

 

[joeywafr]

Re: 1989 force 50 jumping

They were kinda round so I got my drimal and fixed them gonna try it out tomorrow thanks for the info

 

[wickware]

Re: 1989 force 50 jumping

Oops! Did you take pics before and after of the Dogs that were dressed/repaired to share???