Force 120 Horse Not in Gear

[sbudd]

We have a 1997 120 Horse Force o/b that won't go into gear. The water pump was just replaced. Any ideas??

[Frank Acampora]

First look in the front of the engine leg between the lower unit and the shroud. See if the lower shift rod in the gearcase was re-connected to the upper shift rod. There is a horizontal cylinder about 2 inches by 1/2 inch diam. with a hole drilled in it to accept the lower shift rod and a locking pin held in with a very small cotter. Sometimes when the lower unit is removed, this cylinder falls off the upper shift rod. If that has happened, you need to buy a new one or find the old one if you replaced the pump yourself..
If the lower shift rod is connected, disconnect it and drop the lower unit. Move it up by hand. If it moves more than 1 inch, it was unscrewed from its connection inside the gearcase. You may need to remove the water pump and top plate to see where to re-screw it. It should be screwed all the way down, then backed off just enough to line up with the upper shift rod holes.

[Frank Acampora]

The locking pin looks like a short flat head nail with a small hole drilled in the end to accept a very small cotter. If the cotter was not installed or broke, the locking pin will have fallen out. If the locking pin is missing, the upper shaft will slide on the lower shift shaft without shifting the gearcase. You can buy the pin or use a 1/8 inch SS cotter pin. after bending, cut off any excess to prevent binding while shifting.

[sbudd]

Thanks! We'll look at that and repost if necessary,