trouble shifting into forward gear

[billyt]

I'm 2 days into my vacation which I've been putting off since May. Until now, no problems. Just tried to go out and the motor (1975 Johnson 115 v4) won't go into forward gear. Reverse is fine. I did notice this morning it "knocked" a couple of times when I first started out. But I've gone out a couple more times since with no problems. Any thoughts? I just spent over $1,000 putting the motor onto the boat and having a tune up including servicing the lower unit. The guy didn't say anything about any issues with the lower unit. AARGH!!!

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: trouble shifting into forward gear

Billy... Possibly (hopefully), your problem is simply a case of not having the shift cable aligned properly. If so, the following may help you somewhat.<br /><br />The proper method to adjust the shift cable is to disconnect the cable from the engine. Move the shift linkage on the engine to find the center of the play in neutral, and when found, leave it centered.<br /><br />Now, grab the end of the shift cable sleeve, push and pull it to find the center of the play there, and center that play.<br /><br />Adjust the trunion on the threaded portion of the shift cable so that the centered play of the cable lines up with the centered play of the engine's shift linkage. Install and lock the shift cable with the retaining clamp in that position.

 

[billyt]

Re: trouble shifting into forward gear

Joe: Man, I hope you're right. I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "the play". I don't know beans about working on an engine--thus the money spent on tune-up, etc. Is the trunion the round part that screws up and down on the threaded portion? How do you adjust that--it doesn't seem to be moveable with just finger pressure. I'll gladly take advice from someone with 30 years experience--especially since I have about 30 hours!!

 

[OBJ]

Re: trouble shifting into forward gear

Bill.....what Joe means is, about the play, you can push and pull the end of the shift cable and there will be a certain amount of "give" in the cable. That's the "play". <br /><br />The trunion is the large black knurled knob on the shift cable (the throttle cable has one too) that sets in the anchor bracket in the engine pan. Should turn easily. If not, add a little lube to it and work it some.

 

[billyt]

Re: trouble shifting into forward gear

Thanks guys. I do have a service manual for this engine. Would it be of any benefit to check the lower unit oil tomorrow? My biggest fear is of some kind of damage to the lower unit. I'll go out now and see what I can find out about the cable. blt

 

[billyt]

Re: trouble shifting into forward gear

Please forgive my dumb questions. When I loosened the anchor bracket, I could turn the trunion. When I followed the movements I could see the shift rod moving up and down, but it actually moves very little--guess I expected more. On the throttle control, there is a black button I push in so I can increase engine speed without it being in gear. I've noticed that sometimes when I go to start the engine and push in this button, it won't kick the starter as if it is in gear. Usually moving it back and forth will allow me to start the engine. Does this sound like it is also related to the shift cable not being properly aligned? blt

 

[OBJ]

Re: trouble shifting into forward gear

Bill....the shift rod does not have a lot of "up and down" movement. Losening the anchor bracket was the right thing to do to adjust the trunion.<br /><br />The control....the black button lets you give throttle for cold starts without shifting into gear. If you have to "play" with it on occasion, the problem would be in the control. Do you know what make the control is?

 

[billyt]

Re: trouble shifting into forward gear

I'm not sure about the control. I'm assuming OMC since the guy I bought the boat from had a 70hp Johnson on it and I'm using those controls.blt