1958 Evinrude 35 hp, shift adjustment

jiminmontana

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Messages
77
I have been working on this old motor for about 10 hours!

The power head works flawlessly. But have had issues getting the mechanical shifter to do things correctly. Initially, it would only go in reverse. When shifted forward, heard the clicking sound coming from the vertical arm that locks out the shift lever from moving into gear when the throttle is advanced. I adjusted the shift lever (which has some play in it from lots of use) and is almost OK. When my wife was operating, I was in the back and as long as I held pressure on the lever, we proceeded, but to let off was to pop out of gear and resume the clicking. However, with that adjustment of the shift lever, now I have NO REVERSE!

The vertical linkage arm has a hook at the bottom that catches a pin connected to the shift mechanism. That pin rolls about 90 degrees and slips into various undulations in the vertical linkage arm so that you can stay in reverse, stay in neutral, or stay in forward gear. I am tempted to heat and bend that hook at the bottom downward, because that hook is keeping the pin from moving just a bit further which would allow the shifter to go into full forward. But I do not wat to screw up the whole thing! Any thoughts?
 

jiminmontana

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Dec 22, 2009
Messages
77
Re: 1958 Evinrude 35 hp, shift adjustment

I removed the vertical shift bar (brass, about 8" long and 5/16" in thickness) and filed away at the bottom of the hook area. Hopefully, the motor will be able to shift into forward and stay there. I'll let you know after the 3rd attempt this evening.
 
Top