Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

This engine came with a sailboat I purchesed about ten years ago....never used and has been in my attic ever since. Pulled it out this week, as I plan to finally launch the boat...!


Only to find, naturally, that something is amiss. Shift lever wont budge....seems to be in Forward, though the prop spins freely. Also, the recoil starter wont engage, perhaps because the thing is in gear..?

I have a manual somewhere, but I could spend all summer looking for it, as it got packed up a few years ago when we moved. What a lousy alignment of the stars...!

Anywhoo....can someone tell me the easiest way to start looking into this. My instincts say check the linkage under the cowl first, but I'm not sure how to get at it (the linkage, not the cowl..!). Or, could the problem be further downshaft? And, if so, does that mean removing the lower end?

I should mention that, other than this problem, the engine looks well taken care of....clean and plenty of grease where it should be. Used in saltwater, tho, it may just be some minor corrosion impeding the movement.

Thanks for any assistance.

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

If it was saltwater and not cleaned well before storage it is corroded everywhere. As far as the linkage is concerned can you move it at all using the shift lever on the side of the engine?

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

I got it to move reluctantly, but only a very small amount. feels as if I'll break something if I push too hard.

When you say 'everywhere', does that mean that the linkage/shift rod is immersed in water, during regular operation? If so, I can see where the previous owner may have neglected to flush it properly and the residue salt has had an effect.

Can I get at the linkage by the shift lever..?

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

JoeBo said:

I got it to move reluctantly, but only a very small amount. feels as if I'll break something if I push too hard.

When you say 'everywhere', does that mean that the linkage/shift rod is immersed in water, during regular operation? If so, I can see where the previous owner may have neglected to flush it properly and the residue salt has had an effect.

Can I get at the linkage by the shift lever..?

Click to expand...

The linkage runs in water as it goes down the midsection to the lower unit. That is why you want to run it in fresh water even if it is in a barrel after salt. Your linkage is probably corroded. You need to take the lower unit off and lcean everything up. If I remember right there is an inspection plate on the midsection where your linkages meet.

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

can you move the flywheel?..if not...try spraying PBBlaster in the sparkplug holes and letting it soak overnight or longer...the flywheel turns in a clockwise direction looking down on the flywheel..if no luck..remove the head and see what's going on...if you can get the flywheel to move, the pinion on the starter should engage and you can pull the motor through..try shifting while you are pulling the motor through, as trying to force the shifter to shift w/o the gears in the lower unit moving may result in breaking something in the lower unit or the shifter handle itself <they're sorta weak to begin with on the 6hp.>

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

It is a pretty safe bet that the shifter handle is corroded where it goes through the exhaust housing. You will have to pull the powerhead to get access to the inner end and remove the inner lever. Then remove the shifter handle & shaft and clean the corrosion out. Make sure the grease fitting is open before reassembling.

A word of caution: That inner lever will break if you attempt to shift it with the screw removed.

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

Well, I've had another look and at least one of the bolts holding the power head on, the one next to the shift lever, is all rusted and corroded, so while I am 'handy', this is already looking like a job for someone who has done it before..! Also, when I pulled the plugs, they look like tar, so I probably should just bite the bullet and bring the thing in to a mechanic to go over the whole shebang.


Thanks to all for the responses and help.

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

I just did this on my 6HP Johnson (1972). Try your best not to force the lever. It is cast aluminum, easy to break, and hard to find a replacement (not cheap either).

You will need to pull the powerhead to get at the linkage. Once that is unbolted, then the handle can be pulled out. Once it is out, you will have to clean the bore and handle shaft. There should also be a grease zerk on the handle. Once it's out, put a grease gun on it and get some new grease down the handle and out the two holes that sit inside the bore. You may need to unclog the holes like I had to do with mine. A toothpick works good to work the crud free while the pressure from the grease gun forces out the old stuff. Grease up the handle shaft, linkage, and bolts and reassemble.

Evinrude Triple Guard grease is pretty good stuff, it's what I use. Don't forget to periodically grease it so it won't get stuck again.

Check the crankshaft seal while your at it too.

Hope this helps

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

This happened to me this weekend, hope this helps.

1960 gale 25hp

-was in Forward gear
-was in full throttle on tiller THUS leading you to have a hard time shifting gears

I would turn the tiller back and forth and shift it in N, R, &D

Hope this helps

Re: Looking for advice - 1976 6HP LS Evinrude-shift lever stuck

Green Hornet, that won't work on these engines. The shift handle and shift rod are built into the midsection. Turning the tiller does not affect how its oriented. The root cause is corrosion between the shift handle shaft and the bore in the midsection it fits into.

Forcing it can easily break it. I nearly broke mine before I decided to fix it the right way.