1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

Hi All this is my first post ,,My 1983 4.5 HP. Johnson is stuck in neutral, It was working fine last time I used it in water which was about 10 months ago due to some health problems,I serviced L/U, (Lube ,grease ,seals and Waterpump) I always crank motor in a make shift test tank (a big bucket) when I do not use boat for long periods at least once a month to keep carb and cylinders from getting gummed up with fresh ethanol free fuel & premium 2 cycle oil, but I did not really think it was necessary to put motor in gear so I did not ,well I got back on my feet and was getting ready to go fishing and figured I'd pop it into gear when I checked motor to make sure it would crank before I left the house as I always do I figured I'd pop it in gear for some reason, (which I do not normally do), the shift lever would not move into forward or reverse (which saved me a 35 mile trip down to the bay) so I saved that 4 dollar's a gal. to get there, I pushed and pulled as hard as I dare, while tapping on lever and pulled the starter rope and spinning the prop (in the correct direction) while trying to get it in gear with no luck so I checked lower unit gear oil & grease and all looked good, So before I go and tear the L/U off and have to gather up all the stuff to do this does anyone have any ideas So I can get down there and do some long over due fishing ??(ITS TIME FOR THE FALL FLOUNDER MIGRATION) PLEASE someone give me some good news ?
(THANKS TO ALL THAT READ THIS)and if question was to long please let me know
Steve H. (HOAGIE)

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

Welcome aboard Hoagie.

I'm not an expert but did you remove the lower unit to replace the water pump since the last time you used it 10 months ago?
If so, I bet that's where your problem lies. Something is not right with the linkage between the shift lever and the lower unit.

I have a suggestion that may help. Their are the best OMC experts here that you will find anywhere, but you need to make your post more to the point. Too many words that are not pertaining to your problem. You had 73 views and 0 response's.

At the bottom is a edit button, go back and shorten your post by at least 50% and I bet you'll get some response's by a few people far more smarter then me about that particular motor.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

If there was no sign of contamination when you drained the gearcase, my guess would be that the gears are OK, and the shift lever or shift rod has/have some corrosion and is/are binding.
If you have not installed a new impeller, you should, and when you drop the lower unit you'll be able to tell for certain whether the problem is in the gearbox or the linkage connections.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

I would guess that the shift rod came out of the cam in the lu.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

nwcove said:

I would guess that the shift rod came out of the cam in the lu.

Click to expand...

Would there not still be movement at the shift lever?
The way I read the OP was that the shift lever is locked solid.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

there would be a bit of movement in the shift lever, but if the shift rod is out of the cam, there is room for the rod to go down and the flat side will jam between the housing and the shift cam. still just my educated guess as it happen to me with a 6hp

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

I vote for the upper shift linkage being locked up. Drop the l/u and see what happens. It's not that hard to do.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

He;'s pretty much going to have to drop the L/U no matter what...so if he works systematically he'll win.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

wonder what the issue was??? lol

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

For that lower unit the shift shaft rotates. Instead of a splined ends, the shaft ends are machined producing a half moon at each end.

When reinstalling the gearcase the upper portion of the shift rod MUST fit into the female (which is not visible) - PRIOR - to tightening the lower unit bolts and moving the shift lever slightly is often necessary.

It did not mate properly. Pull the gear case off. You'll find the shift lever on the side of the motor will move freely. I won't speak about possible damage at this point.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

Hi, and thank you all, I haven't had much time to mess with it but the lever is stuck no give at all, After reading some of your other post I pretty sure its froze up because I used it after last L/U service and it shifted fine, it set up for almost a year now,does the shift rod move up and down or does it turn to engage gears ? I am using a Clymer shop manual illustrations not so great ,is there a motor specific manual?

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

hi hoagie, the shift rod rotates . drop the lu and try a pair of vise grips on the rod. dont go to hard on it tho . and remember to rotate the prop as you try to shift.

Re: 1983 4.5 hp Johnson shift lever stuck in neutral

Thanks guys, I was able to get a pair of vise grips on shift shaft above shaft grommet or bushing without dropping L/U worked it loose and lubed it up and is working fine, cheap lesson this time, thank you all again
Steve H.