I just started the motor in preparation for a fishing trip tomorrow, and when I tested the shifter I found a problem. When shifting into reverse it grinds the gears, and won't engage. It feels like the lever is hitting the housing before it has traveled far enough to engage reverse. Is there some adjustment on the shifting mechanism, or does this mean the shift shaft is bent? Forward works great. It clunks into gear and speeds right off.
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I just changed the lower unit oil a minute ago, and there was no metal. I also just found the adjusment for the shift lever, and now it shifts into gear perfectly. The adjustment was made all the way towards a strong engagement on the forward gear. I adjusted it to righ in the middle and now it shifts both ways with a nice polite "clunk". I just hope it wasn't adjusted that way to keep forward from jumping out of gear or something. Guess I'll find out tomorrow....
I wonder if you've had a motor mount fail on your motor. I think that could change the adjustment on the shift linkage. Might check to see if the motor moves around in the housing.
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1973 Glastron V 156
1989 Evinrude 85XP
Last edited by guy74 : November 8th, 2007 at 10:57 PM.
Reason: spelling
cary00silv, my immediate reaction was the same as guy74, above. Grab hold of the flywheel (not running, duh), and see if you can move the whole motor fore and aft within the shell. A "rubbery" feel is normal, flopping around in there is not. That would be a broken upper front motor mount, very common and will affect the shift--and idle.
Let's hope that is not the problem though. That is a major task to repair and a very intimidating job for the novice. Not to be undertaken without a manual.
It does feel like there is some play in the powerhead. There is also play in the lower unit. When I grab the skeg, the lower unit moves about 1/4" back and forth inside of the housing. Is there a way to confirm the broken mount other than taking things apart? Also where can I get the part to fix it? What kind of problems will it cause if I don't bother fixing the broken mount?
I just located the mount under the housing, and took a look with my flashlight. The rubber seems to be intact with no apparent cracking or damage. Also, the powerhead only moves back and forth about 1/8". I think I may just leave it be seeing as how I only have $150 invested in this motor. It's also a salt water motor, and there's nothing that bothers me more than to start removing screws on a 30 year old saltwater motor. What do you think?
It should be OK. If the upper mount is broken it will flop fore and aft a lot. Like 1/2" or so. I agree, replacing that thing on a salt water motor is a challenge.
Lots of flop while moving the skeg is sort of normal. They don't have "real" mounts in the bottom, only bumpers.
1967 9.5hp Evinrude Shifting Problem
Linear Mode
