Adjusting the shift cable?

[wildmaninal]

Well I got my motor running just about 30 minutes ago for the first time this year, got the water pump installed, thanks to all who chimed in on my past threads. The motor sounds awesome, I might still have some fine tunning to do still though. Getting ready to take her out for a shake down test this weekend if all possible. My motor is a 1978 85hp Evinrude model number 858950.

I noticed that the prop shaft is still turning when the lever is in the neutral position. I was running the motor without the prop.

I haven't tried putting this motor in gear in the past when I first got it so this is the first time I have seen that the prop shaft does turn. I know where the shift cable is and where the adjustment for it is, I'm just afraid I might screw something up if I tackle this by myself lol.

My questions are....

Is there any procedure on adjusting these shift cables? What do I need to be ware of? Just adjust until it works correctly or what?

How much gear lube does the foot hold? (1 quart or 2) I don't want to run it short on lube.

I can't remember where that washer goes on the propeller.

Does it go on the back side of the prop or front?

Thanks ahead of time for any replies.

 

[guy74]

Re: Adjusting the shift cable?

Hello,
On all of my motors, the prop shaft will turn when the motor is running even though they are in neutral. It just kinda coasts along, not spinning fast though. I adjust my shift cable by un hooking the cable, then move linkage on the motor to neutral, figure out where the center of freeplay is on the linkage, then pull and push on the cable to figure out where the center of any slack is on the cable. Once I get both pieces at their center of freeplay, I adjust the cable until it will fit onto the lever at the motor with out moving either of them. Then check for proper operation, sometimes you might need to fine tune the adjustment a little. This is how I adjust the shift cable, I'm sure other can add to what I've said, I hope it helps.
Goodluck,
Brian

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Adjusting the shift cable?

That sounds good to me guy74. Thanks for the reply.