Force 50 possible lower unit problems

[gwoloshyn]

I recently started up a 1984 Force 50 I purchased off craigslist. The motor shifts and runs in reverse, but when I shift into forward it won't engage at all, or won't engage until the engine is at very high RPMS (this happened once). I pulled apart the lower end and found everything to be in working condition with no visible problems.

Could something be going on elsewhere or do I just need to play with my cables?

It seems something is not engaging forward gear enough for it to lock in and spin. Sometimes when I spin the prop in forward I can hear a clicking sound.

Any help appreciated.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

Unhook the cables. Find neutral(motor off)then readjust the shift cable.This is all done on the right side of the motor.I use my foot to spin the prop.J

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

Thanks for your reply. I went ahead and unhooked the cables and started the motor to actuate everything by hand.

The forward does not kick in unless the prop is spinning at higher rpm, high enough for damage to occur. Reverse catches just fine.

It does seem that the cable will need adjusting, but right now I think their are other problems going on.

 

[carholme]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

gwoloshyn;

When you had the lower unit removed (after re-assembly) did you do a manual gear shift at that time by up and down movement of the shift rod and ensuring correct gear operation.

Gerry

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

I didn't specifically check for correct gear operation as I'm not too familiar with how it works but I did move the shift rod up and down and it was connected to a kind of pivot shaft that moved something else back and forth, I'm assuming that was meant to switch between forward and reverse.

The lower unit on this thing was very simple, and everything looked clean (no metal chips or anything).

When I spin the prop by hand fast it will catch in forward, but not when I just turn it like it's supposed to.

 

[carholme]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

I don't know your model number but if you look at this link:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/1210_10.cfm

You will see shift rod, 36 which is screwed into coupler 34. The cutouts on the lower arms of the coupler mate with the ears on the yoke, 56 and the yoke fits onto the grooved end of the shift pin, 22.

When the shift rod, 36 is raised or lowered, the connections cause the shift pin to slide forward or backwards for gear change.

If you have the service manual, you need to read about finding centre range for the coupler 34.

Gerry

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

Thanks for the link. I looked at that diagram and I put everything back together just as it shows. That yoke did show some wear, and one side of it had an indent or counterbore and the other side didn't. I faced that counterbore to the end of the shaft. I didn't think it would make a difference which way it went.

Could you please tell me what you mean by the centre range for coupler 34? I don't have a service manual but am looking into getting one.

It seems there was really no wrong way to put it back together.

 

[carholme]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

What I mean is that if you or someone else before you unscrewed rod 36 from the coupler, they may have reinstalled it a thread or two, too low or too high, changing the throw of the coupler, allowing you to reach one gear positively but not the other.

Gerry

 

[gwoloshyn]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

Looks like I may have fixed it. I loosened the coupling that joins the shift rod half way up the motor leg and adjusted it so it throws the forward gear more and that seemed to do the trick! I will know for sure once I start it up again tomorrow. Thanks for the help.

Too bad I had to take apart the lower unit, but it was definitely a learning experience.

Next up: Seeing why my cooling system isn't pumping water. Water pump is fine..

 

[carholme]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

Well if you run into problems with it, remember the lowershaft adjustment where it screws into the coupler as this is a specific thread count adjustment to give you the initial centre range. Hope the upper adjustment works for you and that everything is OK.


Gerry

 

[ifelovr]

Re: Force 50 possible lower unit problems

carholme!!! THANK YOU!!! I have a 45h 1975 Chrysler that I have had in pieces and it has been horrible trying to describe parts to people over the phone. Now that I have a web site to go to and tell these people the part number i need is fantastic. Now that I am done with the nightmare of rebuilding my lower unit and putting all new seals in it and then putting it all back together. Next time I'll know where to go to look up a part number.