76 7.5 ted williams wont go into gear

[brad1174]

Engine starts and runs fine. Is this an easy fix. I was wondering if it was worth fixing since these motors bring very little on Ebay.

 

[itstippy]

Re: 76 7.5 ted williams wont go into gear

It's worth fixing if you like to fix things. The fact that it runs fine means it's worth fixing. If you're handy, have at it. If not, let a handy friend take it apart and see what's wrong. It could be something as simple as a missing screw. A professional marine shop is way too expensive a proposition. They do not make money wrenching on old "Ted Williams" type outboards. Get a tinkerer to take a look. While you're at it, make sure it's pumping water to cool the exhaust where it enters the "leg". Those "air cooled" motors actually do have water-cooled exhaust outlets and they need them or the powerhead (engine) overheats. There is a rubber "impeller" that moves the water and it gets old and worn out and quits doing its job. Then the engine overheats and seizes up and you're up a creek without a paddle and nothing to trade for one but a fried outboard. Check eBay for a cheap service manual. BIG help!

 

[JB]

Re: 76 7.5 ted williams wont go into gear

What happens that causes you to say it won't go into gear?

If the shifter moves but the prop doesn't you may simply have a sheared pin in the prop.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 76 7.5 ted williams wont go into gear

I'm pretty sure that motor doesn't pump water in neutral.
Seems that I saw somewhere that the clutch is spring loaded and the spring is prone to fail.I would be inclined to lock up the drive and use it without a neutral.

 

[brad1174]

Re: 76 7.5 ted williams wont go into gear

I'll check on the shear pin but I think I already checked that a while back. I put it away like this last year and was bored so I pulled it out and fired it up the other day. I'll look for a manual but I think the only one I could find in the past was like $40. Not worth it since I don't need this motor. It does spit water from the exhaust leg so I think that is ok. Locking it in drive sounds like a good idea and I'll look in to that as well. THanks.