35 johnson jumping out of gear

[Nickmell]

I have a 1978 35 Johnson. I came on a boat I bought 2 years go, I have taken it out on the water twice now and the first time when I would go wot it felt like the gear were not engaged all the way and would kick out and back in. It seemed like the cable wasnt pulling the forward engagement arm all the way forwar so I loosened it up ant move it back slightly so it would pull it harder. This stopped the kicking out of gear forward but now I have no reverse since the cable cant push it back far enough. Could the cable be streched or is it more likely the clutch dog going bad like I have been reading? I know pretty well nothing about boats and outboards but I and a pretty good motorcycle mechanic.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 35 johnson jumping out of gear

HI Nickmell. Welcome to iboats. If it feels more like you're hitting a log and abruptly falling out of gear, it's probably the clutch dog in which case the only way to know for sure will be to drop the LU and inspect it visually. However, you may want to try disconnecting the shift cable all together and try changing gears by hand (get some else to drive if need be). If it still falls out of gear then it's probably the clutch dog again, however if it seems to run and stay in gear properly at all speeds, then the problem is most likely in the cable. You may also need/want to inspect and adjust the shift rod connector found behind the little oval window on the side of the leg/exhaust housing. They can sometimes wiggle loose. Keep us posted. Good luck.

 

[AlTn]

Re: 35 johnson jumping out of gear

without the shift cable attached do you have f-n-r ?

 

[Nickmell]

Re: 35 johnson jumping out of gear

HI Nickmell. Welcome to iboats. If it feels more like you're hitting a log and abruptly falling out of gear, it's probably the clutch dog in which case the only way to know for sure will be to drop the LU and inspect it visually. However, you may want to try disconnecting the shift cable all together and try changing gears by hand (get some else to drive if need be). If it still falls out of gear then it's probably the clutch dog again, however if it seems to run and stay in gear properly at all speeds, then the problem is most likely in the cable. You may also need/want to inspect and adjust the shift rod connector found behind the little oval window on the side of the leg/exhaust housing. They can sometimes wiggle loose. Keep us posted. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies, next time I take it out Ill unhook the cable and see how it works by hand. I pulled that cover off and the bolts on the linkage rod were tight, How do you know if it needs adjusted? I just bought me a manual for It so when I get it hopfully I wont have to ask as many questions. Its snowing here now so I probably wont be able to take it on the water for atleast another month but I will post back with my results.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 35 johnson jumping out of gear

Hello again nick. As long as the shift rod connector bolts are tight, you're probably ok. They can wiggle loose sometimes. Be sure when you shift gears by hand, you do so in a nice quick, brisk fashion. You DO NOT want to ease it into.out of gear. My old '66 33 hp had a nice solid "click" to it when I would put it in gear.