Not holding gear HELP!!!!

[fishermanof93]

my 67 Johnson 20 hp has a problem holding gear. it seems as though the rod that the shift arm clamps onto Is slipping in the levers clamp. anyone experience this? its not an adjustment issue as I have adjusted it 3 times now and every time it works great for a while then slowly gets worse and worse at holding in gear any thoughts or suggestions? also I know all the gears and clutch dog are fine because I took the gear case apart after I scared myself the lastime out and almost got stranded on a windy day.

 

[boobie]

Have you got the clamp put together correctly ?? If we're thinking of the same one.

 

[Chinewalker]

Is the correct spring in place at the top of the shift detent arm, just under the magneto plate? If the clutch dog and forward gear mating surfaces are perfect, it should hold. If they're at all crowned over, it'll slip...

 

[fishermanof93]

this is a pic from a different motor but when I got this motor the screw that pulls the clamp together on the bottom of the circled lever was almost completely backed out. and it doesn't have a problem for a while after I adjust it. was thinking about making and inserting a shim there so it clamps better.

 

[fishermanof93]

I took it apart last night and noticed that there is a place for a bolt to go threw above where the rod is and it is missing which may be art of the clamping part failing

 

[Chinewalker]

Yes, there are TWO bolts in the shift handle. One runs for & aft, threading into the handle itself and clamping it in place, and the other runs side-to-side, and is held in place on the back side with a square nut and lock washer. The side-to-side bolt runs through ovalled slots in the shift shaft to allow for & aft adjustment.