1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

catliner

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Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Messages
12
So my motor was running fine until today. I started the motor and went to put it into gear, when I put it in forward or neutral it will only go in reverse. The throttle moves into position but the motor just stays in reverse. After some research it seems as if it may be the shift rod?!?! Any advice on what the problem may be or how to fix it would be great! ANY help is much appreciated, I am supposed to be fishing a tournament on Sunday.
 

sunwest

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Jun 16, 2012
Messages
26
Re: 1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

So my motor was running fine until today. I started the motor and went to put it into gear, when I put it in forward or neutral it will only go in reverse. The throttle moves into position but the motor just stays in reverse. After some research it seems as if it may be the shift rod?!?! Any advice on what the problem may be or how to fix it would be great! ANY help is much appreciated, I am supposed to be fishing a tournament on Sunday.

In your lower in you have one or 2 pins that hold the shifting rod to the lower unit, sound like they broke or came out.. drop lower unit and put pins back in I think you will be good to go.
 

catliner

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Feb 12, 2012
Messages
12
Re: 1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

Thank you for the response. I have never pulled a lower unit off an outboard, is it pretty obivious what the shift rod is? I am handy, just never had a lower unit apart.
 

Daviet

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Sep 24, 2008
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8,958
Re: 1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

Is the shift linkage under the lower carb actually shifting through the gears?
If you broke a shift cable, it will cause problems like you are having.
 

boobie

Supreme Mariner
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Nov 5, 2009
Messages
20,826
Re: 1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

Remove the shift cable from the mtr and try shifting the mtr only. If it works, look for a broken cable as said above.
 

catliner

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Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Messages
12
Re: 1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

Thanks again guys, I will finally get a chance to take a closer look tomorrow evening. I am definitely going to inspect the cable before dropping the lower unit. If anyone has anything to add or any suggestions please fire away.
 

catliner

Cadet
Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Messages
12
Re: 1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

Ok guys got the lower unit off. The shifter rod is threaded in and appears to be attached and fine. I manually shifted the motor by hand not using the throttle into forward, neutral, and reverse before dropping the lower unit with a little difficulty. Forward was hard to get in but it did go into forward. What should I look into next? Do you think it could shift
Cables or throttle? Thanks again guys really appreciate any input. Trying to get it back together to fish a tournament Sunday. If calling would be easier feel free to call me 859-445-3667 josh....call anytime
 

Daviet

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Sep 24, 2008
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8,958
Re: 1973 Evinrude 65 only goes in reverse

Did you check the operation of the shift cable before you dropped the lower unit, does it work properly?
 
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