[matthysone]

While waiting to get out of the water at the ramp and with no noise or other warning, my 85 hp rude stuck in reverse, had very limited movement in the control unit as well. It was embarrassing to paddle to a busy ramp. Upon inspection I determined the shift rod, the one from the power head to the LU, was stuck. I did this by disconnecting the linkage on the opposite side of the lever that is connected to the shift rod, couldn't get any movement. However, now I had full movement of the control unit.

Anyone with some insight on this issue would be much appreciated.

[tashasdaddy]

that motor has the bell crank linkage. the older motors are bad about the shift rod seal going bad, and the shift rod rusting going into the lower unit. then they become hard to move. i had one in the shop, that had so much rust on it, we could not force it into reverse.

[matthysone]

I will inspect the seal and rust. The rust issue seems more likely after being stored for the season or a gradual problem. This occurred suddenly. The shifting was fine just minutes before.

If the shift rod seal goes bad, water can get into the LU oil I assume. Yes?

[tashasdaddy]

yes.

[ezeke]

1973 - 1977 V4 85HP recreational motors have a gearcase with hydraulic assist; they requires that the gearcase be properly filled with high viscosity marine gear oil in order to function.

[matthysone]

I've dropped the lower unit and removed the shift solenoid cover and shift rod. The hydraulic assist is here connected to the push rod assy. What should I be able to tell from here? I know it's hyd assist but I can not push the push rod assy down at all and thats while turning the prop shaft. Do I need to tear down the gearcase. The push rod is up and stuck in reverse.
Thanks

[ezeke]

Try turning the driveshaft instead. Make sure that the gearcase is filled with oil first.

[matthysone]

Here's the follow up. I tore down the LU and found several damaged parts including the forward gear, the back side of this gear has four teeth that engage and drive the hydraulic pump. The pic shows where the teeth used to be. Also in the pic is a part of the hydraulic pump that normally rides inside the front gear in the hollow where the four broken teeth are.

I think this may have been broken for sometime and some piece of metal finally lodged causing the unit to be stuck in reverse. The price for parts new or used are to high, however, since I think this has been broken for awhile I plan to remove certain parts which will disable the hydraulic pump and the hyd. assist shifting feature. I should then still be able to shift.

Okay, I reassembled on the bench and I can still shift by pushing/pulling on the shift rod. I'll see how it works on the water. Anyone have any thoughts on whether the LU can reliably be used in this altered state?