1967 80 hp Evinrude.

[nmetallicac]

I just picked up my first boat. I have done a lot of work to this thing to get it running. I took it out to the lake for the first time this weekend. It ran great. The only problem that I have is that when I was out there I shifted it into reverse and it stuck in reverse. I took it home and took the prop off from it so I could see the shifting lever it was stuck all the way down. I did manage to free it up but once I put the lower unit back together it did the same thing. It will shift freely without the prop on it with no problems but once you reassemble it there is something hanging it up. On top if that it is kinda a pain to take apart and put back together. If anyone could give me a few ideas to what could be wrong it would help me out a lot.

[a70eliminator]

first tell me how taking the prop off gained you access to see a lever, or did you actualy pull the lower unit off?

[tashasdaddy]

is the shift shaft rusty. get some emery cloth and clean it up. as check grommets.

[ezeke]

You may not have the connector between the two sections of shift rod installed correctly.

[nmetallicac]

The way that I am getting to it is I am taking off the prop and the bearing assembly. There is a spacers that is held together with a retaining clamp. Just behind that is the shifter. Everything look clean in there no rust and there was oil in there when I had taken it apart. I have not taken it apart all the way down from the top part of the lower end. Would it be better if I take it apart from the top? And if so does it come apart as easy?