1970 20 horse shifting problem

[carpslayer]

I have a 1970 20 horse johnson outboard with tiller control. When I am in forward motion the lower unit kicks out of gear into neutral. Is this a hard and/or expensive repair?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1970 20 horse shifting problem

has the lower unit been off lately?

 

[carpslayer]

Re: 1970 20 horse shifting problem

I haven't removed it since I got the motor. That was one year ago. When I got it, it didn't look like anybody had removed it in quite some time. Or change the lower unit oil either!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1970 20 horse shifting problem

does it feel or sound like you hit a log. did it just star doing this, or has it done it all along?

 

[carpslayer]

Re: 1970 20 horse shifting problem

never hit a log. Got the motor with the boat I purchased. I have a 3 horse I usually run, just would like to use the larger motor also. It has been doing this since I have used it. If you hold the shifter forward it will stay in gear, it also stays in gear at top speed. It is when I am accelerating and decelerating that it jumps out of gear. I have replaced the tension spring and roller on the linkage and it hasn't seemed to make a difference.

 

[lindy46]

Re: 1970 20 horse shifting problem

May be a worn clutch dog/forward gear in the lower unit. If the previous owner(s) was in the habit of sliding it slowly into gear rather than quickly shifting, the edges of the clutch dog and forward gear meshing surfaces become rounded and it won't stay in gear. New parts are expensive. Sometimes it's cheaper to pick up a used lower unit which is in good shape.