Can't go in reverse

[zopperman]

Hey guys,

Sorry to be clouding the forum with my new threads, but I had a buddy take out my project and he said the motor flies up in reverse.. Even when you hold it down, it still bucks up. What could be causing this? happens with very slow acceleration...

engine problem? prop problem? hull problem?

18' manatee bowrider with a 70 HP chrysler...

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Can't go in reverse

Reverse lock mechanism not working correctly. Move the shifter from neutral to reverse and see if it is moving the latch. Could be an adjustment is needed or maybe a broken or missing part. Does it do it all the time? Moving the engine from the tilted up position to the down position while the shifter is in reverse will not permit it to latch on some engines, A close look at the parts should tell you what it is or isn't doing.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Can't go in reverse

Reverse lock mechanism not working correctly. Move the shifter from neutral to reverse and see if it is moving the latch. Could be an adjustment is needed or maybe a broken or missing part. Does it do it all the time? Moving the engine from the tilted up position to the down position while the shifter is in reverse will not permit it to latch on some engines, A close look at the parts should tell you what it is or isn't doing.

I adjusted the shift cables and the two nuts on the shift rod myself... then it was doing this and I had a buddy look at it and readjust it with me after we took the engine off and his adjustment yielded the same thing...

Always drop the engine in neutral... it does do it all the time in reverse..

 

[zopperman]

Re: Can't go in reverse

bump

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Can't go in reverse

Reverse lock mechanism not working correctly. Move the shifter from neutral to reverse and see if it is moving the latch. Could be an adjustment is needed or maybe a broken or missing part.

Sounds like good advice...........

 

[zopperman]

Re: Can't go in reverse

What latch?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Can't go in reverse

there should be a latch on the engine that keeps it from being able to tilt when in reverse

you will need to look for it

 

[zopperman]

Re: Can't go in reverse

Like on the tilt? What would it look like?

 

[zopperman]

Re: Can't go in reverse

or where would I look for it, rather?

 

[zopperman]

Re: Can't go in reverse

bump,

anyone...?

 

[nlain]

Re: Can't go in reverse

There should be some type of spring loaded hook setup so when the motor drops down it locks in in place, you should also have to pull a release of some type to lift the motor up. You need to raise the motor and look where it drops in place in the bracket for the lock. Maybe if you could get some real good close up photos and post them that would give us something to look at and maybe see the problem if you do not find it.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Can't go in reverse

Under the nose of the engine between the transom clamps will be a black lever--IF it does not have power trim/tilt. This lever will be marked engage and release. Up under the yoke, this lever operates a shaft with a plastic cam on it. a thin stainless rod goes from this cam down to a spring loaded bent stainless plate.

Typical operation is when you drop the engine, even with the plate engaged, it will snap over the 1/2 inch tilt adjustment bar (that runs between the transom clamps) and prevent the engine from rising in reverse. Its operation has nothing to do with shift linkage or adjustment.

If the plastic cam or springs are broken, or if the thin rod is missing or the nut has come off the lower end, the metal plate will drop all the way down and not engage the tilt bar. Very often , the lever under the nose will jam from corrosion and break off. If it breaks in the release position, again, the metal plate will not engage the tilt rod.

The first photo shows the plate engaging the tilt rod--mine here is a small rusted rod just to show relative position.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Can't go in reverse

I DO HAVE THAT! It's (the long white post thing) just bent and F'ed up. How do I fix that?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Can't go in reverse

If you look at the center photo you will see that the top of the rod is bent in a goofy sort-of loop to retain it in the cam. Unscrew the nut from the bottom and lift the engine so the plate drops down off the rod. Now work the loop out of the cam and hammer the rod straight on a piece of hard wood or similar. Leave the loop alone --it needs to be bent in that funny way.

Put it back into the cam and lift the bent plate onto the rod. Replace the nut (stainless steel nylock locknut, either 6-32 or 8-32 --I don't remember which size)and adjust so that the plate sits on the tilt rod snugly when engaged yet just clears the rod when released.

Note that the plate is bent in such a way that if you hit something hard at speed it will release the engine and the engine will pop up thereby hopefully preventing damage.

Do not try to bend the plate. It is hardened stainless and will break before bending.--Believe me!