96 Evinrude 200hp shift rod hight

[warriorcookie]

I have a 96 Evinrude Vindicator 200hp on a Hydrasports 205fs.

I took the leg off to replace the water pump and driveshaft oil seal. I checked the hight of the shift rod and it was short by 1/2". I never noticed any issues, but I adjusted it any way.

Now that it is back together, I checked how it shifts with the motor running the driveway with the muffs. Moving the throttle forward, it goes into gear just before the forward detent. Moving into reverse, it goes into gear halfway between the center and reverse detents (maybe a little closer to the center detent.)

Is it ok that reverse happens so much closer to center than forward. I'm worried that forward isn't fully engaging or that I'm putting too much pressure on the shift rod in reverse.

 

[warriorcookie]

Re: 96 Evinrude 200hp shift rod hight

Solved the issue and forgot to post the solution.

I set the height of the shift rod by screwing it in or out of the lower unit while I had it out for an impeller/oil seal change. I re-installed the lower unit, reconnected the shift rod. On the starboard side of the engine I disconnected the shift cable from linkage, centered the linkage, loosened the shift cable clamp, turned the shift cable adjusting dial until the cable end lined up with the linkage again, put it all back together. Tested first with someone turning the prop manually (plugs disconected) while trying forward and reverse, then with engine running in driveway.