Improper shifting 85hp v4

[historymaker78]

I just installed and new water pump into my 75 johnson v4 and went to a great deal of care tomake sure (or so I thought) that the shift rod didnt get readjusted. Now when I try to shift into gear it will only grind goin into reverse and never engage. Also the only way I can get forward to engage is to slam it all the way forward which cause me to go into full throttle. If I turned that linkage top a full turn would it make that big a difference? I also unhooked the linkage on the side of the engine and i could get it into forward but it acted as if it was hanging up goin into reverse. #1 thing....I read in aanother forum that you have to almost slam them into gear not just ease them. Does this rule apply for a shiftbox that controls the throttle when you shift. also why would it not go into reverse when i disconnnected the linkage and tryed it by hand. Could that be from not bein able to slam it into gear? I just want any suggestions before I tear the lower unit off tomorrow mornin cuz I think it shifted fine before but I never ran it in the water. If it was fine before (I think) then I must've done somthing.

 

[Walker]

Re: Improper shifting 85hp v4

Got a question for you here. Does the top of your shift rod have a factory bend in it. That bend needs to be facing forward. If its facing towards the rear it binds the shift rod against the lower cowling pan whne you go to forward and binds it against the horizontal shift linkage on the motor when you rty to get reverse.<br />If your have your hooked up backwards just unhook it and turn it 1/2 turn. You should still be within the shift rod length tolerance range.

 

[historymaker78]

Re: Improper shifting 85hp v4

I dont think I have a bend....I remember the rod bein very straight until the top and then the top screw on connector is offset and it would only go in one way.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Improper shifting 85hp v4

Jake.... That top threaded barrel should be screwed all the way down, then backed off two turns (approximately) so that the upright portion faces in the proper (forward) direction.<br /><br />The nylon retainer bearing that should be in that barrel like connector must absolutely be there. If not, that slight bit of play is magnified to a great degree when it gets to the actual shifting mechanism in the lower unit. Is that nylon bushing there?

 

[historymaker78]

Re: Improper shifting 85hp v4

Bushing is there. HAd to adjust cables to get it to shift into forward but it now does it fine. BUt as for reverse it wont shift in unless I turn off the motor and start it in reverse. When i try to shift into reverse from an idle it just grind like an automotive tranny without the clutch pushed in. Are there some kind of synchronizers that could be bad in this gearcase? Or is it just strictly a speed shift type of deal?