Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

[mrtwist02]

Hi, I am new to boating, I recently purchased a boat of my own(finally) a 1960 Wizard boat with a 1960 40 Johnson RDS-22 manual shift. and I brought it to the lake to see if it floats and runs and drive. Well I guess two out of three ain't bad. It started after a couple seconds of starting. Runs like a top, pumps water just fine. Only thing is it runs in reverse always. I have disconnect the cable and shifted it manually to no avail. I have took the plate off and the rods seem to function properly, good movement. I have also studied the manual and I have kind of narrowed it down to the linkage in the gear box or the clutchdog. Has anyone run into this problem before i get my hands dirty. I hope I'm not getting in over my head. Before i did take it it out for the first time i did a tune up and changed the LU fluid and when i changed it the first time I pulled the drain plug and not a lot of fluid came out it was dark in color but not white. So i figured it was just dirty. Can anybody help me so I can get it fixed before the season ends and I can take the wife and kids out.

 

[Sea18Horse]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

Is there a phillips head screw somewhere in the side of the lu case? many of the older lower units (maybe the newer ones too) have a phillips screw that secures the pivot for the shift fork. I'm wondering if someone removed that screw by mistake and got the pivot out of whack. I think I'd pull that screw out (assuming it's there at all) and see if you can see anything in there and possibly get it back in position. I understand it's not easy. I'd suggest you remove the lower unit so you can manipulate it easier.

If no luck you'll have to tear it apart anyway. I assume the shift rod connector is assembled correctly? Fully seated in the connector? Good luck!

Cheers..................Todd

 

[F_R]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

If the shift rod connector is truly connected and the LOWER shift rod is moving up and down with no slack or lost motion, then the trouble has to be in the lower unit. Possibly related to the phillips pin, but if it is, you will have to take the skeg off to get it all back together because the fork has fallen out of the cradle by now.

But first, be sure the LOWER shift rod is moving. And no slack or lost motion.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

agree

 

[mrtwist02]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

Thanks Todd and all who replied. There is a pivot pin at the bottom a little way up from the skeg on the right hand side and it look like some tried to take it out once before cause it's stripped. Both the upper rod and lower rod seem to move the same amount up and down no loss of motion. I'm assuming that if the lower shift rod is not fully seated in the connector even if looks like it, shouldn't it bring me to neutral at least. I am hoping to just remove the bottom gear case and put in a new pivot pin or shift fork(foot) Or do i have to actually remove the LU. God I hope not, I live in an apartment and i would have to travel over 50 mi to a house with a garage. Is this an expensive fix, I would really hate to have to bring it to a shop $$$$ Thanks for any advice?

 

[F_R]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

We have no way of knowing just what is wrong in there. It could be that somebody missed the fork with the pin and it could be that there is major damage to the whole thing. Only an on-site inspection will reveal that.

Yes, if it is only a fork/cradle problem you can fix it by removing the skeg.

 

[mrtwist02]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

thanks F R. Is it necessary to remove the prop to get the skeg off. I have drained the fluid(dirty but no water or milky) and removed the bolts but the skeg only drops a little maybe 1 1/2 inches. I believe the manual says the pin has be removed(fun). So if it's the pin holding it then the pin should be ok right?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

sounds, like you did not disconnect linkage, behind the 1"x2" plate on the side of the leg.

 

[mrtwist02]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

Right. I disconnected the linkage behind the plate and she dropped out, I believe i diagnosed the problem, The cluthdog cradle that sits on the fork was not properly installed it was just sitting there so no matter what gear i selected it wounldn't disengage reverse cause the fork wasn't attached. At least i hope it was the problem. We'll see, I will let you know how maiden voyage no. 2 goes. Thanks again for all the advice and help everyone, IBOAT ROCKS.........

 

[mrtwist02]

Re: Madien Voyage stuck in reverse

Maiden Voyage no. 2 was a success, this boat drives like a champ. I just wish it had a little bit more speed. Should this motor be able to plane this boat out? I almost get to plane. The boat is made of fiberglass and plastic and 15' long. I thought a 40 horse should be able to. But I did get lots of comment and looks, I'm loving it........Randy