Boat not moving forward

[Sinistre1]

Re: Boat not moving forward

You may be missing hardware. Most of the "non-shifting" engines are 3 hp or under. Not saying you don't have a 4.5 w/out it.. but it sounds quite the odd beast! At 4.5 I wouldn't expect F-N-R but I would definitely expect F-N. I'll be following just to see what happens but I'm guessing mechanical issue greater than shear pin,,, ie. missing shift lever

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Boat not moving forward

The 4 HP motors did not incorporate F-N-R gears but were direct drive. Yours is a 1988, 4 HP version, not 4.5 HP, w/o gearshift, so check out the prop, shear pin, and possibly hub.

http://www.**********/parts/search/BRP/EVINRUDE/1988/E4RCCS 1988/parts.html

All you have to do to check it is to remove the spark wires and attempt to turn the prop by hand. If you cannot make the engine turn over, there is a problem and the prop will not deliver power on the boat.

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Boat not moving forward

I need to correct what I told you.

There were two versions of the 4 HP in 1988 plus a sail version. The 4D (delux) had a F-N-R gearshift, aluminum prop, and twist grip throttle.

The Ultra 4 has the throttle mounted on the top of the motor and does have a forward/neutral clutch gearbox. A lever on the starboard side of the motor allowed the motor to be started in neutral. This must be the version you have.

Looking at your picture, the device mounted just above the pivot on the starboard side appears to be the base for the F-N lever which has been removed. In the vertical position, it is in neutral and must be rotated clockwise to engage the lower unit forward gear. It appears to be a plastic lever which is probably no longer available. You could rotate the piece to the forward position and use the motor as a direct drive if you can not locate a plastic lever.

The gear box appears to be similar to the 2 HP box, so it may use a plastic bushing in addition to the shear pin in the prop hub.

Had to find my old 1988 catalog to confirm this, as many versions of the 4 HP motor were made over the years. It has a proven powerhead. I referred to the wrong model in my comments even though it is plainly the 1988 Ultra version My bad.

 

[jakoolin]

Re: Boat not moving forward

I need to correct what I told you.

There were two versions of the 4 HP in 1988 plus a sail version. The 4D (delux) had a F-N-R gearshift, aluminum prop, and twist grip throttle.

The Ultra 4 has the throttle mounted on the top of the motor and does have a forward/neutral clutch gearbox. A lever on the starboard side of the motor allowed the motor to be started in neutral. This must be the version you have.

Looking at your picture, the device mounted just above the pivot on the starboard side appears to be the base for the F-N lever which has been removed. In the vertical position, it is in neutral and must be rotated clockwise to engage the lower unit forward gear. It appears to be a plastic lever which is probably no longer available. You could rotate the piece to the forward position and use the motor as a direct drive if you can not locate a plastic lever.

The gear box appears to be similar to the 2 HP box, so it may use a plastic bushing in addition to the shear pin in the prop hub.

Had to find my old 1988 catalog to confirm this, as many versions of the 4 HP motor were made over the years. It has a proven powerhead. I referred to the wrong model in my comments even though it is plainly the 1988 Ultra version My bad.

Thanks! I found it and it seems to be stuck, I'll try to put some wd 40 and see if I could loosen it. I really appreciate all you guys that commented on this . I'll work on this on the weekend and hopefully would be able to have this working properly.

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!

 

[Guest]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Thanks! I found it and it seems to be stuck, I'll try to put some wd 40 and see if I could loosen it. I really appreciate all you guys that commented on this . I'll work on this on the weekend and hopefully would be able to have this working properly.

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!

Go with Liquid Wrench If wd40 does not work. I was a wd-40 fanatic until it did not work getting a nut off from my old Force outboard. I was ready to heat it up. I tried liquid wrench and the nut was off in minutes

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Boat not moving forward

One other thing. Remove the spark plug wires from the plugs and pull the rewind starter while working the lever and see if that does not allow it to go to forward. It may be that the present position of the forward gear is preventing the engagement of the gear and not allowing shifting.

They are good engines and should do the job for you.

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: Boat not moving forward

Hey, looks like without loads of training or experience I reasoned it out!!! Figured it was not a direct drive (centrifugal clutch or otherwise) and that you likely had an outboard that was missing a piece... the shift lever from F-N... as i surmised. Also nice to see that others are big enough to admit they make mistakes too... With that last little rant I will stop dropping in and pigeon bombing people's threads.

Very glad for the OP to be on his way to getting his propulsion problems sorted. And moreso, that it was through the combined help of the many well meaning individuals on this forum... knowledgeable and somewhat less than alike.

 

[fbpooler]

Re: Boat not moving forward

The 4 HP motors go back to the late 60's or early 70's with direct drive. The tip off on this motor is the throttle mounted on top of the cowl which was used only on the later designs. I should have seen that from the picture he submitted, but I missed it when first looking at them. The fisherman drive was used on the majority of the early direct drive motors also.

The newer lower units do not handle weeds as well as the fisherman drive but provide more thrust. His version should do a very good job for him. It is a shame they are no longer manufactured, as most modern models are single cylinder.