1979 Evinrude 15HP Stuck in Neutral

[LSU_Tiger]

I have a 15HP Evinrude that was passed down to me and I've been trying to get it running again. It looks like it was taken care of by the previous owner, but it hasn't been used in years.

I finally got it to start after replacing the impeller, plugs, fuel lines, and cleaning the carb, but it will not shift into forward or reverse. I checked the usual suspects like the rev limiter, and the linkage connections, but I think the problem may be in the lower unit. It feels like the lower link rod is stuck.

I also changed the oil in the lower unit and it was black with no signs of milky coloring or metal shavings. Any suggestions on what I can do?

[AlTn]

when you dropped the lower unit to replace the impeller, did you remove the lower screw from the connector completely?...if not..you may not have that connector tight enough to pull and push the lower shift rod...it's really easy to strip that lower screw connector which will allow the lower shift rod to slide by....I'd remove the lower unit and , while turning the prop by hand, try to pull and push the shift rod to find f-n-r...if that all works..turn to the connector for attention...you didn't remove that phillips head screw when you changed the lower unit lube, did you?

[Big flop]

If this a salt water motor check shift shaft going into lower unit
Salt sneaks into o ring resulting in stuck shaft
Also work shift lever with lower unit shift unhooked

[LSU_Tiger]

I took the lower unit back off today and I figured out the problem. The cavity in the lower unit that the link rod extends out of was almost full of silt that had hardened over the years while the motor sat up. It hasn't been used in salt water to my knowledge, but the water here in south Louisiana is extremely muddy.

I didn't even think it was silt in there the first time I removed it, but then I read about the small drain hole at the bottom of that cavity in an online tutorial. After cleaning all the silt out of there, the shifter is moving in and out of f-n-r with ease.

One more question though - Now that the silt is removed the shift linkage that extends from the lower unit can easily be turned left and right. Is that normal, or should it be screwed in tight?

[raczekp1]

this shift rod,sticking out from L U is screwed in gear selector cradle.try to screw in all the way.
after conection with upper shift rod and switching F-N-R, this lower should move up and down

[kbait]

Just make sure the coupler for lower and upper shaft connection is secure. Mine's sloppy too, but no problems.

Edit. Now that I read play in the lower shaft, that's different.. as stated above, that one connects to the shift fork at the pin, and shouldn't be able to spin around, but a bit of twist each way should be ok.. just so it's securely connected to the shift fork.