"clunking" noise putting in reverse... (1978 115hp)

The story of my motor and the only info I have on it. <br /><br />Saturday I was at a city municipal auction. This 115hp they said had a bad lower unit. I won it for $35 with controls.<br /><br />After I won it a city worker came up to me and said he took the motor off the boat last fall and has been around this motor for years. He said that it goes forward great. But when you put it in reverse it clunks. Sometimes it goes in fine others not. He also told me where it was serviced and they had complete records and also told me the power head was completely rebuilt 2 years ago. I looked when I got home and it does have brand new gaskets and looks like new under the hood. He told me they quoted the city $1800 for a new lower unit and they just bought a brand new 40hp to replace this motor on a pontoon boat. <br /><br />Anyway, sorry for the long post but that is the story of the motor so you know I have no personal experience at all with it yet. I am going to go by his word and try to fix what is wrong before I even fire it up and was wondering if any of you know what I should look for/expect the problem to be. And yes, I will be buying a service manual as soon as I can. <br /><br />Thanks!<br />Ric

Re: "clunking" noise putting in reverse... (1978 115hp)

it could be something as simple as adjusting the throttle / shift cables, or it coul dbe much worse. id drain the lower unit fluid and take a close look at it, make sure there are no metal shavings in the lube and that its not milky and watery.

Re: "clunking" noise putting in reverse... (1978 115hp)

Thanks Mike! I know it is hard to diagnose something especially from a he said, she said type of situation. But I thought maybe it was a common problem that may be familiar to you pros. <br /><br />Right now I don't even have a boat to set the motor on. I am in the process of trading for an 82 ranger 350v though.

Re: "clunking" noise putting in reverse... (1978 115hp)

When the guy said it clunks - i wonder if it is something as simple as a worn clutch dog? Not very likely in reverse if it doesn't do it in forward, but possible, especially if the selector was badly adjusted over a period of time.<br /><br /><br />Either way, you've got yourself a potential bargain there Ric.