Re: linkage problem 1984 johnson 90 hp
It could be as simple as a shift cable adjustment inside the engine cowling. If the clutch dog does not fully engage the gear face, the engine can slip into neutral when under max torque. This would be the cheap/easy fix. The shift cable is adjusted by the knurled nut just inside the cowling. Detach the shift cable and shift the engine by hand-then compare that to the cable end when shifting the control box by hand. Adjust the cable to match the manual shifting positions on the engine lever. If that does not do the trick, the mating surfaces of the gear faces and clutch dog may be severly worn-such that it comes out of gear under max torque. That's an internal (expensive) lower unit fix.